Alberta
BEE NEWS
Serving the interests of the beekeepers of Alberta since 1933
AUGUST 2024
In This Issue
03-05 ABC Vision & Goals for 2024 - 2026
06 - 07 2024 AGM, Conference & Trade Show
08 UPDATE: ABC Resolutions
09 Call for 2024/2025 Nominations / Join the ABC Board of Directors
10 - 11 The Genetics Behind RNAi Technology for Viral Treatments in Honey Bees
12-20 International Honey Market Report
20 Secret World Of Sound
21 Use of Pesticides in Agriculture - Health Canada
19 - 31 Classifieds
Board of Directors
President:
CURTIS MIEDEMA
BOX 39 SITE 11
RR1 Barrhead, AB T7N1N2 780.206.4483 miedemahoney@gmail.com
Vice President: LORNE PRINS
RR3 Station Main Lacombe AB / T4L 2N3 780.893.2337 lorne.prins@gmail.com
Peace Region/CHC Delegate:
RYAN HICKS
BOX 625 McLennan AB T0H 2L0 / 780.837.0648 hicksry82@gmail.com
NE Central Region: PAUL GREIDANUS 56107 Range Road 245 Sturgeon County, AB T8R 0M1 grapiaries@gmail.com
Treasurer
DUSTIN RYAN
5543 Township Rd 302, Water Valley, AB T0M 2E0 dustin@fallentimbermeadery.ca
CHC Director:
JEREMY OLTHOF
RR1 Tees AB T0C 2N0 T 403.872.4607 Teesbeesinc@gmail.com
NW Region: RENE LAROCQUE
RR1 Busby AB T0G 0H0 T 780.818.4268 larocquerene@hotmail.com
Director at Large: BEVAN FORD
RR1 Irma AB / T0B 2H0 780.806.1310 bevanford1976@gmail.com
Director at Large: DAN PALA
BOX 368 Wembley AB T0H 3S0 / 780.832.5809 d.pala@telus.net
Director at Large: AMBER OZERO
2 51516 Range Road 15, Parkland Co, AB, T7Y 2E8 albertahoney@gmail.com
Alberta Beekeepers Commission: 11434 - 168 Street, #102 Edmonton AB / T5M 3T9 T 780.489.6949 / F 780.487.8640 www.albertabeekeepers.ca
CONNIE PHILLIPS, Executive Director C 780.289.5604 connie.phillips@albertabeekeepers.ca
Alberta Beekeepers Commission Fiscal Year September 1 to August 31.
Eligible Producers with 100 or more live colonies: Service Charge of $200.00 (membership fee) and $1.35 per colony (hive levy) plus GST per year.
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For further information please contact Alberta Beekeepers Commission 11434 - 168 Street, #102, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5M 3T9. Tel. 780-489-6949, Fax 780-487-8640.
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The opinions expressed in the articles printed in Alberta Bee News are those of the authors and not necessarily the Alberta Beekeepers Commission. Further we do not endorse any of the products, goods or services mentioned in this publication unless specifically stated. Articles are generally published as received. 2023 - 2024
What We Heard: ABC Vision & Goals for 2024 - 2026
We are pleased to share the results of our recent strategic planning process and the valuable feedback we gathered from producers as part of our producer engagement activities. Your input has been crucial in shaping the future direction of the Commission. We want to share an overview of the key themes and insights that emerged from the 2023 producer engagement session that were instrumental in crafting the next iteration of the Commission’s strategic plan.
Overview of the Strategic Planning Process
The strategic planning process aimed to define the Commission’s goals, priorities, and actions for the coming years. The process was designed to be inclusive, engaging members in person through both facilitated discussions and small groups to provide the opportunity for all producers to share their insight and perspectives. This considered approach enabled us to ensure the vision and goals of the Commission were directly guided by the voices of Alberta producers.
Key Themes and Insights
The producer engagement activities revealed several critical themes that guided the development of the 2024-2026 Strategic Plan. The feedback and ideas provided highlighted both challenges and opportunities across various areas. Below are the key themes and insights that emerged from discussions:
Strategic Priority 1: Bee and Hive Health
Bee and hive health was identified as a top priority for several critical reasons:
1. Declining Bee Health challenges:
a. Disease and pest management:
i. The approval and availability of effective pest and disease management tools by regulatory bodies such as the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) are limited, restricting beekeepers ability to protect their hives from harmful pests and diseases, exacerbating the problem of declining bee health.
b. Impact of Agricultural Practices
i. Changes in agricultural practices, such as the use of certain crops and chemicals that may impact bee nutrition and health, changes to seed varieties that may not consider nectar, pollen, or nutrition content for bees, and roadside ditch management practices that may deprive bees of essential forage sources.
2. Stock Replacement:
a. Replacing lost bee colonies has become increasingly difficult and costly. The availability of healthy bee stock is crucial for maintaining and growing bee populations, yet beekeepers are facing challenges in sourcing quality replacements.
3. Broader Ecosystem and Food Security
a. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating a wide variety of crops, contributing to biodiversity and food security. Healthy bee populations are essential for the pollination of crops that are critical for the agricultural industry and food supply.
4. Economic Impact
a. The beekeeping industry significantly contributes to the economy, particularly in regions like Alberta, which is the largest honey-producing province in Canada. Ensuring the health of bees and hives is vital for sustaining the economic benefits derived from honey production and related agricultural activities.
By prioritizing bee and hive health, the Commission aims to address these pressing issues and support the long-term viability of the beekeeping industry. This focus will involve collaborating on research, strengthening the impact and service offering of the ABC Tech Transfer Program, continuing to advocate at provincial and national levels, and working with various stakeholders to implement effective solutions to improve bee and hive health.
Strategic Priority
2: Market Position & Profile
Market Position & Profile was identified as a top priority for several critical reasons:
1. Consumer Education and Awareness
a. There is a significant need to educate consumers about the benefits of pure, local, Alberta honey. Many consumers are unaware of the distinctions between local products and imported, often lower-quality alternatives.
2. Competition from Imports
a. Alberta honey producers face intense competition from cheaper, imported honey. These imports often lack the quality and sustainability standards upheld by local producers.
3. Differentiation and Branding
a. Effective branding and marketing can highlight the unique qualities of Alberta honey, such as purity, origin, and adherence to high production standards. This differentiation is crucial in a crowded market where consumers have many choices.
4. Meeting Consumer Expectations
a. Consumers today are more discerning and have higher expectations regarding the quality and provenance of their food. They are increasingly looking for products that align with their values, such as sustainability and local sourcing.
5. Economic Sustainability
a. A robust market position ensures economic sustainability for beekeepers. It helps stabilize prices and demand, providing beekeepers with a reliable income stream. This financial stability is essential for the long-term viability of beekeeping operations and for investing in innovations and improvements.
6. Alignment with Sustainability Goals
a. Understanding and addressing the implications of meeting United Nations Sustainability Goals within the Canadian context is essential. Consumers and stakeholders are increasingly concerned about sustainability.
By prioritizing market position and profile, we aim to ensure the competitiveness, visibility, and economic sustainability of Alberta honey producers. This focus will involve strategic marketing, consumer education, and advocacy efforts to elevate the standing of Alberta honey in the marketplace.
Strategic Priority 3: Market Uncertainty (supply chain)
Market uncertainty has been identified as a key priority due to its significant impact on the beekeeping industry. Several factors contribute to this uncertainty, creating challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the stability and sustainability of beekeeper operations:
1. Declining Honey Prices
a. Honey prices have been volatile, with recent trends showing a decline. This affects the profitability of beekeeping operations, making it difficult for beekeepers to sustain their businesses. Addressing market uncertainty can help stabilize prices and provide a more predictable income for beekeepers.
2. Increasing Input Costs
a. The costs associated with beekeeping, such as feed, equipment, and transportation, have been rising. These increased input costs can erode profit margins and put additional financial strain on beekeepers. Managing market uncertainty includes finding ways to control and reduce these costs.
3. Skilled Labor Shortage
a. There is a growing shortage of skilled labor in the beekeeping industry. Experienced beekeepers and workers are essential for maintaining high standards of hive management and production. The labor shortage adds to market uncertainty by making it difficult to plan, sustain, and expand operations.
4. Supply Chain Issues
a. The beekeeping sector faces significant supply chain challenges, including safe and healthy transportation of bee stock, supply of sugar/feed, disease and pest management products, supplies and equipment, and honey exports.
These issues can potentially disrupt production schedules and affect the availability of honey. Improving supply chain reliability is crucial for reducing market uncertainty.
5. Environmental and Regulatory Risks
a. Environmental changes, such as climate variability and habitat loss, can impact bee health and productivity. Additionally, regulatory changes related to pesticides, import/export rules, and food safety standards can create uncertainty for beekeepers. Navigating these risks requires proactive planning and adaptation.
6. Dependence on External Factors
a. The beekeeping industry is often dependent on factors beyond its control, such as weather conditions, agricultural practices, and global market trends. This dependence heightens market uncertainty, making it essential to develop strategies that can mitigate the impact of these external factors.
7. Alignment and Collaboration
a. There is a need for better alignment and collaboration between beekeepers across different regions, such as Western and Eastern beekeepers. Increased cooperation can lead to shared solutions for common challenges, reducing individual uncertainties and enhancing collective stability.
New 2024 – 2026 Strategic Plan
The new ABC strategic plan was carefully crafted to reflect the insights and feedback provided by producers. Each of the three key themes directly informed the goals, actions, and resource allocations within the plan, ensuring that it addresses the priority needs and opportunities identified through the producer engagement process. With this renewed approach, the Commission also took the opportunity to revise the ABC’s vision and mission to better align with producer feedback and guide the Commission into the desired future state:
VISION
A vibrant, healthy, and growing Alberta beekeeping and honey industry.
MISSION
Creating an environment where bees and their keepers thrive.
The ABC board and staff are committed to working towards the key objectives to deliver value to beekeepers and to create a strong, healthy, and sustainable beekeeping industry in Alberta.
We look forward to your continued engagement and we encourage you to reach out to your local board member or the ABC office to share any updates or concerns on issues you would like raised.
We look forward to seeing you again at our AGM this November in Edmonton.
ABC Board and staff.
Sharing practical knowledge & expertise, beekeeper to beekeeper
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
NOVEMBER 18, 19 & 20, 2024
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Bee 2 BeeSharing Practical Knowledge and Expertise, Beekeeper to Beekeeper’ and we’re pleased to present an engaging line-up of speakers and presenters who will address key topics including:
Latest in honey bee health research
Pesticides, bees and honey
Measuring the economic threshold of your beekeeping operation
Forage & bee nutrition: Impacts of changing environmental conditions and bee nutrition
Plastic waste in the beekeeping industry
Sustainable agriculture: evolving trends & consumer behaviors
Navigating changing labor and employment requirements
Business Risk Management programs
SPONSORSHIPS & TRADE SHOW BOOTHS
BLAKE SHOOK STEPHANIE
DR SHELLEY HOOVER
DR. JUDY WU-SMART
DR RASSOL BAHREINI
DR. RENATA LABUSCHAGNE
Join us for TWO FULL DAYS (day 2 & 3) of presentations, panel discussions, supplier showcases, networking, engaging activities and more. Connect with other beekeepers and local, national, and international industry guests at one of western Canada’s most popular beekeeping industry events. Featuring over 20 talented speakers, presenting over 20 sessions across two full days, covering the latest in honey bee health research, innovation, and industry updates.
Early Bird Tickets Now on Sale!
DAY 1: Monday, November 18, 2024 | ABC Annual General Meeting
Day ONE is the ABC Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is a closed session, only open to Eligible Producers of the Commission. The AGM is free for Eligible Producers and is followed by a complimentary drinks reception. Please visit: https://www.albertabeekeepers.ca/about/2023-abcannual-general-meeting/ for more information.
DAY 2 & 3: Tuesday and Wednesday, November 19 & 20, 2024
YOUR 2-DAY DELEGATE PASS INCLUDES:
• Two days of engaging presentations and panel discussions on the latest in honey bee health research, innovation, industry updates and more.
• Breakfast, breaks, and lunch each day.
• Access to the trade show with over 28 exhibitors showcasing the latest in equipment, supplies and innovative beekeeping solutions.
• Opportunity to network with delegates, speakers, and suppliers from across the industry, and take advantage of special supplier offers.
NEW THIS YEAR!
President’s Banquet
Join us this year for a new dining event experience that combines the traditional format of the President’s Luncheon with the fun, networking, and entertainment of the hospitality night and live auction.
Tickets to this event are sold separately and can be added to your purchase when buying your conference tickets here: https://www.albertabeekeepers.ca/newevnts/2024-abc -agm-conference-trade-show/2024-conference-tickets/
Drones Hockey Game
Always a highlight of the conference, this FREE activity is open to all guests at the conference, and we encourage you to bring your hockey gear and join in the competitive fun!
2023’s game featured the ‘Beekeepers’ vs. the ‘Rogers Beets’, with each player receiving a custom one-of-a-kind jersey to commemorate the game.
This action-packed scrimmage game takes place on-site at the West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace, located directly onsite at the hotel, on Wednesday, November 20, at 8.00am.
Take the opportunity to join your fellow beekeepers for a great game of hockey followed by a delicious hot breakfast back at the hotel. All beekeepers and conference attendees welcome to participate.
Please register your participation now at: https://www.albertabeekeepers.ca/newevents/2024abc-agm-conference-trade-show/drones-hockey-game/
Sponsored by:
UPDATE: ABC Resolutions
In the lead up to the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Commission is pleased to share an update on existing resolutions and the work undertaken over the last 8 months to progress their status.
We would also like to invite eligible producers to consider any new resolutions they would like to put forward for consideration prior to this year’s AGM.
To put forward a new resolution, please complete the AGM Resolution Submission Form that can be found on our website HERE: https://www.albertabeekeepers.ca/wp-content/ uploads/2024/07/2024-ABC-Resolution-Form_fillable.pdf
Prior to submitting a new resolution, please review the list of ALL resolutions that have previously been carried in the past 3 years HERE: https://www.albertabeekeepers.ca/about/ annualreport/
Corridors for Pollinators 2022
Small Hive Beetle 2023
• ABC presented this initiative to Agriculture Service Board Committee
• ABC presented this initiative to ARECA (Applied Research and Extension Council of Alberta)
• Partnering with the Canadian Honey Council and the Western Irrigation District (WID) – a 7 km strip of pollinator seed has been planted along WID’s irrigation line
• ABC will partner with Western Crop Innovation to plant a 3 – 5-acre plot of pollinator seed in 2024/25
• ABC will partner with YEG/EIA 2024/25 to plant pollinator seed on the airport’s sustainability farm.
Hours of Service 2022
• Continue to work with the National Working Group on Animal Transport. ABC participated in the Senate Standing Committee hearings in November
• Following the recommendations in the Standing Committee’s report CCMTA has produced amendments to the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations Application Guide which contain additional guidance to enforcement officers regarding Section 76. This provides clarity that transporters can safeguard the welfare of the animals being transported when unforeseen delays during transport cause drivers to go over duty hours In addition, the CCMTA has provided the provinces and territories with the revisions to the Guide relating to Section 76 that provides guidance to industry and enforcement and it has been posted on the CCMTA website.
• Small Hive Beetle is no longer a reportable pest in Alberta. Provincial vets and PAs will need to work with CFIA to take it off CFIA’s reportable list
CAPA Review 2023
• Waiting for an update from the Canadian Honey Council
Establishing a Canadian Honey Promotion and Research Agency 2023
• The Commission has met with the Alberta Marketing Council to inform them of the request to establish a Canadian Honey Promotion and Research Agency.
Honey Database and Certification 2023
• TTP is collecting honey samples to contribute to the data base. The Commission is purchasing different sugar syrups to contribute to the database
AFSC 2023
• The Commission has established a small committee of bee keepers to work with AFSC on developing better/more appropriate insurance products for beekeepers /beekeeping/honey production and overwintering losses
• There is now a beekeeper in the AFSC board
Tropilaelaps
• CFIA has stopped the importation of honey bee packages and queens from Ukraine.
Are you Looking to Actively Influence Decisions on Issues That Affect Alberta Beekeepers? Join the ABC Board of Directors
Call for 2024/2025 Nominations
The Alberta Beekeepers Commission (ABC) is seeking FIVE new board members to join the ABC Board of Directors this November 2024. The ABC board of directors is comprised of NINE directors as outlined in the ABC Plan Regulation, including:
• 4 regional directors, one regional director being elected for each region, and
• 5 Directors at Large
We are seeking nominations from 2024 Eligible Producers for the following FIVE positions:
• 4 Director at Large positions
• Regional Director: Peace Region
If you or another eligible producer you know are looking to take an active role in supporting a healthy and sustainable beekeeping industry, nominate now for ABC Director. As a director of ABC, you will be required to provide direction for the health of the industry by participating in regular board meetings (8 to 10 per year), monthly video conferences, board committees, and support other organizational efforts of ABC.
To nominate yourself or another Eligible Producer, please download, complete, and submit the following form: https://www.albertabeekeepers.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-BOD-nomination_form.pdf
The Genetics Behind RNAi Technology for Viral Treatments in Honey Bees
By Seanna Wengryn, ABC Tech Team Program Summer Student
Honey bees are one of the most economically important pollinators and contribute approximately 6.1 billion dollars annually to the Canadian economy in pollination services (1). Alongside this, Canadian honey bees produce upwards of 75 million pounds of honey each year, adding another 253 million dollars to this contribution (1). Unfortunately, like many other agricultural commodities, the beekeeping industry is declining in its number of producers (2). This is because there has been a major increase in colony mortality throughout Canada and the world, with upwards of 45% of honey bee losses annually, averaging around 27% in the past 15 years (1). These losses have forced many hobbyist and commercial beekeepers to leave the industry, while hindering business planning and expansion for commercial producers that have endured (2). One of the biggest reasons for the decline in managed honey bees is extensive and unpredictable colony death due to the increased presence of virulent pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi (3). Viruses are a particularly challenging pathogen in honey bees, as there are currently no commercialized treatment options for producers (4). Additionally, viruses are transmitted through the varroa mite vector; an increasingly prevalent ectoparasite that has caused a significant burden to beekeepers worldwide. This highlights the importance of developing strategies to mitigate these pathogens, which is crucial for the health and welfare of honey bees, the livelihood of producers, and the Canadian economy.
Figure 1. The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology. The central dogma illustrates the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into a protein. It also includes reverse transcription, where RNA is reverse transcribed back into DNA, and DNA replication, where DNA is duplicated before cell division.
Ideally, the development of a viable viral treatment may reduce the need for frequent interventions, as improper chemical use, inadequate diagnostics, or mismanagement of pesticides can exacerbate bee diseases rather than alleviate them (2) . Alternatively, a more sustainable approach would be to prevent the spread of disease altogether using genetic technologies. Genetics, a branch of biology that studies the inheritance of traits in organisms, offers promising avenues in this regard (5)
Before we delve into genetic technologies, we will briefly touch on the principles of genetics and gene flow, and explore how these principles can be utilized in the development of viral treatments. A gene is the basic unit of inheritance, containing genetic material that determines specific characteristics. Genes are passed from parent to offspring during reproduction. A gene is made up of DNA, which can be found in almost every cell in the body. DNA functions as a code that specialized enzymes can read. This code is transcribed into a small useful segment, known as messenger RNA, or mRNA (like DNA, but has an easier code to read), which carries the genetic information. Subsequently, other enzymes translate mRNA into a protein (Figure 1.) (5). These proteins constitute the building blocks of all living beings on Earth, including bees! The genome is the sum of all the genetic material in a cell and has many similarities and differences from one individual to the next. Genetic variation is what contributes to these differences, which primarily occurs through inheriting different versions of genes, also known as alleles (5). As a result, gene expression varies from bee to bee and can be influenced through natural inheritance or artificial manipulation. Gene expression changes over time; for instance, a viral infection can lead to an increase in the expression of genes related to immunity or disease protection (5). Scientists have been able to manipulate these biological processes to study diseases, breed animals towards more efficient and sustainable targets, and develop animals that are resistant, resilient, or tolerant to pathogen challenges (6). Along with the health and welfare benefits associated with an animal’s ability to cope with disease challenges, genetic biotechnology can optimize production and performance levels, therefore reducing potential production losses (6)
The use of genetic tools for viral treatments in honey bees may be an innovative way to either reduce the spread of disease or completely remove it altogether. There are various tools already being explored, such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, estimated breeding values within quantitative genetics, or more accurate bioinformatic databases. However, a promising technology in the beekeeping world is RNA Interference, or RNAi. RNAi is a natural antiviral immune mechanism already found in bees, along with other invertebrates, plants, and mammals (7). Scientists have been able to create an artificial version of this technology that allows them to precisely target viral mRNA and cut it into pieces (Figure 2.). They make use of the body’s natural production of small interfering RNA, or siRNA, that is made to match the virus' mRNA. The siRNA then forms a ‘cutting’ complex with host enzymes and guides the group to the viral mRNA of interest. Finally, the complex cuts up the genetic material, resulting in non-functional, degraded viral mRNA that can no longer encode for a protein (7). This is crucial, as the virus will no longer have a method to replicate, which will in turn protect the honey bee from infection.
Figure 2. The Basic RNAi Pathway in Honeybees. RNAi pathway starts with an enzyme cleaving double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). These siRNAs are then incorporated into a cutting complex, which targets and degrades viral messenger RNA (mRNA), leading to decreased gene expression.
The main concern is always the safety of the animals along with the humans consuming their food products. RNAi is a natural process already present in bees, with the genetic technology primarily making use of building blocks within the animal. In the lab, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which is the precursor to siRNA, can be produced and easily consumed orally by honey bees in the field, making it feasible to implement at the production level (7). Although this genetic material must be artificially introduced into the bee, it breaks down quickly and will not cause permanent genetic changes to the animal. RNAi is a technology to help combat viruses as they are acquired by leveraging the body’s natural antiviral defense mechanisms (7). If implemented effectively, this technology may completely wipe out viral diseases altogether due to the newfound lack of susceptibility in honey bee hosts. In terms of honey, there should be no siRNA residues in the product, as again, the technology makes use of natural processes within the bee and degrades rapidly post-application. RNAi has already been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of Sacbrood Virus (SBV), Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), and Acute Paralysis Virus (APV) (Figure 3.) (3,8,9). However, more research is needed to further explore feasibility at a commercial level, viral resistance to siRNA, and the risk of off-target effects (7) .
RNAi and genetic biotechnology have the power to combat any virus a bee may encounter, revolutionizing modern beekeeping throughout Canada and the world. The use of these technologies may help reduce the extensive amount of colony losses and significant disease-related challenges that beekeepers continue to face. With the agriculture sector constantly evolving towards more efficient and sustainable goals, the use of genetic tools within the beekeeping industry may be crucial for developing long-term disease management solutions. It may also help continue to grow the economy and provide further revenue for all producers, reducing the loss of small hobbyist farmers and continuing to support growing commercial beekeepers. Further
exploration of genetic biotechnology within the beekeeping industry may lead to insights that enhance animal, economic, and producer outcomes.
3 A honeybee infected with Deformed Wing Virus (DWV). This condition impairs the bee's ability to fly due to its characteristic crumpled and misshapen wings. This virus strongly impacts the honeybee’s role in the hive and overall colony health. Photo taken by SH.
References
1. Bixby M, Scarlett R, Hoover SE. Winter mortality, diversification, and self-sufficiency affect honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colony profit in Canada: a model of commercial Alberta beekeepers. J Econ Entomol. 2023 Jun 1;116(3):686–96.
2. Moritz RFA, De Miranda J, Fries I, Le Conte Y, Neumann P, Paxton RJ. Research strategies to improve honeybee health in Europe. Apidologie. 2010 May;41(3):227–42.
3. McMenamin AJ, Daughenbaugh KF, Parekh F, Pizzorno MC, Flenniken ML. Honey bee and bumble bee antiviral defense. Viruses. 2018 Aug 1;10(8):1–22.
4. Tantillo G, Bottaro M, Di Pinto A, Martella V, Di Pinto P, Terio V. Virus infections of honeybees Apis mellifera. Ital J Food Saf. 2015 Aug 28;4(3):157–68.
5. Hartl DL, Jones EW. Genetics: Principles and Analysis [Internet]. 4th ed. Twombly K, editor. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers; 1998. 1–1367 p. Available from: http://www.jbpub.com
6. Bai X, Plastow GS. Breeding for disease resilience: opportunities to manage polymicrobial challenge and improve commercial performance in the pig industry. CABI Agr Biosci. 2022 Jan 15;3(1):1–17.
7. Brutscher LM, Flenniken ML. RNAi and antiviral defense in the honey bee. J Immunol Res. 2015;2015:1–10.
8. Hunter W, Ellis J, Vanengelsdorp D, Hayes J, Westervelt D, Glick E, et al. Large-scale field application of RNAi technology reducing Israeli acute paralysis virus disease in honey bees (Apis mellifera, hymenoptera: Apidae). PLoS Pathog. 2010;6(12):1–10.
9. Yoo MS, Truong AT, Jeong H, Hahn DH, Lee JS, Yoon SS, et al. Large-Scale Application of Double-Stranded RNA Shows Potential for Reduction of Sacbrood Virus Disease in Apis cerana Apiaries. Viruses. 2023 Apr 1;15(4):1–111.
Figure
International Honey Market Report
By Ron Phipps, August 2024
Introduction
As this report is being composed at the mid-point of the year, a sense of crisis and gloom has engulfed beekeepers throughout North America and Europe. The Masters of Market Manipulation, or as Jacques Combes, independent consultant to French honey producers (SPMF), a statistician who has played a role in France similar to that of Dr. Stan Daberkow in the U.S., has aptly expressed it, the Masters of Market “Mystification,” have succeeded in orchestrating a flood of adulterated honey and the continued collapse of honey prices to levels far below the costs of production of authentic honey.
In the first quarter of this year we were invited to speak before the French Institute of Honey Producers in Bordeaux, France, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the European Commission in Belgium. The generic theme of the presentations was the prevalence of multiple modern modes of adulteration of honey and their development, and their impact upon global food security, pollinators and ecological sustainability.
The European Commission has played a pivotal role by publishing the JRC report on honey, revealing that 47% of honey samples drawn from many countries exporting into Europe are suspected of adulteration. This result, we note,did not involve investigating those parameters that expose the utilization of illicit modern modes of honey production. It was a great privilege to visit the testing facility with Joël Schiro, President of the SPMF, and be hosted by leading experts whose advanced knowledge and scientific insight are invaluable to achieving authenticity.
European honey directive
There is a new European Honey Directive of cardinal significance for the quest for authenticity, which was published in May 2024. [Directive - EU - 2024/1438 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)] Salient features of this directive include:
1. Countries of origin of honey harvesting must appear on the label in the principal field of vision, in the descending order of quantities;
2. The Commission must adopt implementing acts laying down methods of analysis to detect adulterated honey;
3. They explicitly include among stakeholders academia, universities, research institutes and other scientific organizations. This is to mobilize the most comprehensive and advanced scientific knowledge and make sure it is provided by independent scientific researchers;
4. Requirements will include “a Union traceability system, tracing the honey back to the producer or importer.”
We note that in the case of honey, a traceability system is effective if, but only if, the traceability includes specification of the methods of production to eliminate improper methods associated with production of adulterated honey. As one insightful authority has expressed it, “We are overcoming any lags between the scientific developments needed for official controls.” Europe is steadily building up effective nets to capture adulterated honey in all its contemporary modes.
There is a willingness and capacity to proactively create collaboration among different relevant governmental agencies, academic and research entities, as well as legal experts in national and international food fraud law. This may also include those involved with ecological sustainability and food security.
Analysis of the honey market in Europe reflected falling honey sales during 2020-2023 ranging from 3-9%, depending on the country. Reasons given included declining quality of products offered to consumers.
The conference in Bordeaux was held next to a river. The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said that you can never step into the same river twice. That means that the international honey industry and the modes of deception are constantly changing and we must be alert to them. In the days before we arrived in France there were floods in Bordeaux that caused evacuations from hospitals. Similarly the honey market has suffered from a flood of adulterated honey.
Maquet and Ron Phipps at the Joint Research Centre
Honey prices
Offers for new crop Midwest U.S. honey were in the range of $1.65/lb. in June, considerably less than in late 2023. U.S. honey prices averaged $2.52/lb. in 2023 (NASS 3-15-2024) and production was up 11% to 139 million pounds, still far below historic norms and potentialities if beekeepers are fairly incentivized.
Charts 1 and 2 illustrate the devastating collapse of prices for honey imported into the U.S. Graphs prepared by Dr. Stan Daberkow, Economist Emeritus of the USDA, reflect the devastation of prices currently facing the beekeepers.
Alain
The collapse began in 2016. It was temporarily and marginally altered after the filing of the antidumping petition in 2021, but by April 2024, prices for U.S. and imported honey were getting close to levels of 2020, before the antidumping order was filed.
Dr. Daberkow is preparing a chart to contrast the rising general inflation rates, rising food inflation and declining honey prices over the past years. This occurs in a context in which there are high annual colony losses and declines in hive productivity, and the cost of production of authentic honey has soared. This anomaly is in contrast to an explosion of imports of “honey” and the protracted de-incentivization of beekeepers to produce honey.
Chart 1: Annual Prices Paid to U.S. Beekeepers and Importers for Selected Types of Honey, 2015 — Jan-Mar 2023
Prepared by S. Daberkow
(Source: USDA, AMS, National Honey Report & Nass Honey Report)
As pointed out in previous reports, the antidumping duty rates in the preliminary determination were illogically low for India, and the data provided by Indian exporters and other parties was very superficial. Extensive and meticulous data, in contrast, was provided by Nexco in Argentina.
The most startling statistics reveal that the quantities of imported Indian honey have continued to increase to about 150,000,000 pounds in 2023 and the average prices of Indian honey plunged from over $1.20/lb. in 2022 to $0.68/lb. FOB in April 2024.
The stark reality at present is that high antidumping duty rates on Vietnamese honey have caused a dramatic reduction in the quantity of those honey imports. Extraordinarily and inexplicably low antidumping rates on India allow buyers of Indian honey to compensate for any decline in volumes from Vietnam.
Chart 2: Monthly Prices Paid to U.S. Beekeepers and Importers for Selected Types of Honey, Jan 2015 — Apr 2024
(Source: USDA, AMS, National Honey Report)
India, a semi-tropical country, is exporting large amounts of Extra Light Amber, or ELA (49.3 million pounds), White (11.9 million pounds), and “Organic” honey, and has been the progenitor of the collapse of prices from Argentina and other countries. Low prices, combined with the huge quantities from India, have been the central cause of the paralysis of U.S. honey sales and the conscious offering to U.S. beekeepers by U.S. buyers of low prices that are known to be below the cost of production to beekeepers. For example, in California big packers say they won’t pay more than $1.60/lb. for U.S. honey and claim they can buy all the White and ELA honey they need from India and Argentina.
As one of the largest honey producers commented, “My grandfather told us never sell any honey until the honey is in the drum.” That maxim does not apply to manufactured “honey” created by modern modes of economically motivated adulteration (EMA).
In February 2024, the Indian government introduced a minimum FOB export price (MEP) of $2,000/metric ton ($0.91/lb.) for honey exported from India. As recently as April 2024, the import values for Indian honey were $1,500/metric ton ($0.68/lb.) for Extra Light Amber (U.S. Customs Statistics), so the enforcement of this new regulation seems nonexistent.
Chart 3: Volume of Honey Imported to U.S. in Pounds
(Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, National Honey Report)
Chart 4: Average Import Price Per Pound by Countries
(Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, National Honey Report)
Chart 5: Indian Honey Imports Price and Volume Chart
(Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection , National Honey Report)
Predictably, some major importers promised to maintain the old prices despite force majeure conditions if even more quantities of Indian honey were purchased. After the official announcement it was reported that additional quantities were offered and sold from India at prices below the MEP.
An analogous situation occurred in the 1990s during the Suspension Agreement of the antidumping duties on Chinese honey. That agreement set minimum prices which were altered every three months according to data on world honey prices. Nonetheless, companies were receiving offers and concluding business at levels far below the minimum prices. Chinese exporters would blatantly say, pay us the minimum price and we will wire a rebate to any international bank. Such schemes may undercut the minimum prices of the Indian government.
China has played a similar role in Europe as India plays in the U.S. Of the samples collected in the EU during the recent collection program conducted in 2022 by the JRC, Chinese samples were the most likely to be judged suspicious of adulteration.
Chart 6 illustrates the market behavior of China in Europe with 156,000 tons (343,917,600 pounds) exported in 2022.
Europe’s imports of honey from India and Vietnam are negligible. Since Brexit, the U.K. honey imports are being tracked separately from Europe as a whole and were 54,000 tons in 2022. However, the plight of U.K. beekeepers, as cited by the Honey Authenticity Project led by Lynne Ingram, reveals the same type of crisis in the U.K. as that faced by North American beekeepers. The Chinese honey average export price to the U.K. is EU1.34/kg. or EU0.60/lb. ($0.65/lb.).
Chart 6: Global honey markets (Royaume Uni = United Kingdom)
(Source: PowerPoint by Jacques Combes, Independent Consultant to SPMF)
The loophole for highly filtered honey
Imported comb and retail packed honey is not in the scope of the 2021 antidumping order. Industry observers pointed out a dramatic increase in the volume of imports in this category between January and April 2024, reaching 8.1 million pounds. Total imports in this category were 19.6 million pounds for 12 months of 2023. The average FOB price of Indian honey in this category was $2.20/lb. over those four months.
“Since 2016, China closed the door to imports of honey from Europe on the basis of the risk of importing ‘American foulbrood.’ If Europe were to apply the principle of reciprocity, Chinese ‘honey,’ which, unless manipulated using mysterious and in any case unauthorised techniques, contains as many American foulbrood spores as any other honey on the planet, would no longer be able to enter Europe.”(SPMF report).
The SPMF is calling on the EU to ban Chinese honey from the European import market. That demand is less against China as a nation and more against the Chinese modes of producing and exporting adulterated, cheap honey in order to dominate and control the market.
A confluence of the global COVID pandemic, originating in China in 2019, and global climate crises, has provoked destruction of supply chains and led to a general inflation. The aberration of the collapse of honey prices to beekeepers is explicable only by the prevalence of massive amounts of adulterated honey.
Average annual U.S. import prices for organic honey have also collapsed since 2022 (prices/lb.).
U.S. Import
In 2023 Organic Brazilian honey imports were 37 million pounds; Indian Organic honey imports were 6.5 million pounds.
In recent months alarm has grown that the use of a tariff category for “Comb and Retail” is being used to import highly filtered honey in such a way as to circumvent duties in the current antidumping order. Legal advisors had warned that this could be a consequence of the narrow scope of the original antidumping order. Honey packers who have fought the antidumping order are now alarmed because this potentially opens the door to exporters sending filtered honey directly to food service companies and major retailers, without antidumping duties. If the beekeepers succeed in dramatically increasing the duties on Indian and Vietnamese honey, and concurrently affirm the findings of critical circumstances, then those who are importing under this category wlll achieve a more dramatic advantage. This development may affirmatively answer the question in the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, “Why can’t the farmers and the ranchers be friends?”
Chart 7: Imported Comb Honey and Honey packaged for Retail sale (2024 is estimated for 12 months based on Jan-April volume)
Multiple modern modes of honey adulteration
The President of the Provence beekeepers’ association pointed out that France was the first country to criticize China’s use of illicit modes of honey production in 1998. A document was issued at that time by the French beekeepers.
China, which is the epicenter of global food adulteration, is objecting to the principled position of Apimondia and the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) with respect to the definition of honey. China is seeking to control international standards, including the ISO, with a proposal that the standards allow China to continue economic dominance based upon low prices that are possible only through the export of low quality/adulterated products. The value of standards, history shows, depends upon the validity and relevance to the real world of those standards.
The French Institute and the European Commission are clearly opposed to autocratic manipulation and control of standards. The attempt to suppress dissent and democratic processes is the antithesis of what is needed to overcome the problem of global adulteration of honey.
Walter Haefeker, President of the German beekeeping association, compared China’s large honey processing factories to modern European breweries. He insightfully made the analogy of Chinese honey to fast food. Authenticity and quality often require slow, methodical, informed production. In China, India and Vietnam, there is also very small-scale, very localized extraction of immature honey, blending of bioengineered sweeteners and the use of Chinese resin technology on honey, which has been witnessed by numerous people, including beekeepers. The China model has been exported in large and small-scale manifestations.
China has developed four prominent modes of adulteration of honey which are:
1. extraction of unripened honey;
2. use of resin technology to “launder” adulterated and contaminated and/or poor quality honey of residues, antibiotics, dark colors and unpalatable aromas and flavors;
3. addition of bio-engineered cheap rice and or beet syrups to evade government testing; and
4. use of apparatuses for extraneous bee feeding during blossom time.
Advertisement for Resin for Honey appearing on the Alibaba sales website:
Concurrent with efforts to expose adulteration, there are efforts by companies colluding to cover it up and thereby derive gigantic profits.
The most pernicious and pervasive method of adulteration is the extraction of immature honey. The collapse of prices is primarily due to this method, though it is often used in combination with others. A study published in December 2023, by researchers including Dr. Enrique Bedascarrasbure of the Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA) describes a “simple method to differentiate honey, partially ripe honey and nectars.” Using UVVis spectroscopy and chemometrics, the study concludes that phenolic compounds are highly present in mature honey, which could favourably affect its biological activity. Another research paper by Dr. Bedascarrasbure has pointed out that tropical and semi-tropical countries can produce authentic honey and receive economic benefit from doing so. Over a decade ago, Dr. Gudrun Beckh, former President of QSI in Bremen, Germany, pointed out that, using NMR analysis, we clearly see that profiles of immature honey resemble the NMR profiles of nectar, not authentic honey. I have been Co-Chairman of the Committee for the Promotion of Honey and Health, and our position was that for any scientific evidence and any marketing of health benefits to be valid, persuasive and effective, they were exclusive to authentic, pure and unadulterated honey. The aura of health benefits of honey does not belong to “honey” adulterated in any of the modes described above.
During discussions with Vietnamese honey exporters about the growing imperative to exclude adulterated honey, they said, “Of course we can very easily produce mature honey, but if we do so it will take more time and more expenses. And, we will not be able to produce the huge quantities or export at the low prices which are demanded by U.S. and Canadian honey importers and U.S. honey packers.”
The scientists and authorities to whom and with whom we talked in Europe had a sophisticated and deep awareness of the complex modes of contemporary honey adulteration. They knew that multiple tools of detection with continuing and expanding data bases were imperative if beekeepers and consumers, commercial integrity and global food security were to be protected and defended. These agencies recognized and knew a lot about the multi-leveled international cartels who created and economically benefitted from this mode of food fraud. It was clear that masks and disguises would be used in defense of the activities creating illicit profits. The openness to collaborate with other national and international organizations to expose and combat the problems was clear.
During our visit to France, we were very happy to meet with a French beekeeper who had hosted 20 Chinese visitors and told them about the crisis due to the collapse in prices. The Chinese exporter mocked him, saying, “China can produce large quantities of honey, sell at a low price and still make high profits.” The Chinese suggested that they need to use modern modes of honey production. Behind this magic is the more sinister reality of systemic
adulteration. It was a highlight to meet this beekeeper and his friends. That beekeeper was both gracious and generous, but also strong, courageous and articulate in his defense of authentic honey.
In a report written for the American Food Industry Association’s yearly publication, the President of the National Honey Packers and Dealers Association (NHPDA) termed “the recent year as a relatively quiet one for the honey sector.” How sadly tone-deaf that statement is to the discontent of beekeepers. The organization met with Congressional leaders and raised criticisms of the HIVE Act being supported by U.S. beekeeping associations, and raised objections about “serious flaws” in the USP standard.
Of course, adulteration is not a question of consumer preference, prejudice or ignorance. It is a matter of science and definition. The USP was recommended by Prof. Michael Roberts of UCLA law school as an impartial, authoritative and meticulous authority to help develop meaningful and accurate standards. Codex has defined honey as “ the complete interaction of botanical and zoological life forms.” Prof. Norberto Garcia gathered numerous scientists from numerous laboratories engaged in the analysis of food fraud to create this standard, which is consistent with the Apimondia Statement on Adulteration of Honey. Apimondia, lead by Dr. Jeff Pettis, is the world’s largest beekeepers association. The analyses of the USP and Apimondia represent significant first steps to transcend essentially archaic regimes. As we have pointed out before, the dominant methodology of carbon isotope analysis is fraught with scientific difficulties, and emerged from non-verified and narrow samplings. As Dr. Joseph Bowden pointed out, Dr. White’s sampling of the first year had results which contradicted those of the second year, which were never published. The contradictory results were quite natural and scientifically attributed to scientific conditions of an arid and sunny year vs. a rainy and cloudy year. The fixation of carbon isotopes through photosynthetic processes are influenced by weather conditions.
New efforts to create an enhanced traceability system must specify all of the relevant variables which determine the complex chemical profiles of honey. Those variables include botanical sources, soil conditions, climatic conditions, elevation, time of the year, fertilization, organic content, modes of extraction, modes of processing, and modes of storage.
While honey has been recognized as the third most widely adulterated food product, it is far from the only one. Adulteration of olive oil, coffee, and milk is well known.
The USP Identity Standard for honey, like its important predecessor the Apimondia Statement on Honey Adulteration, has a most salient feature to preclude the methods of adulteration. The opposition to this standard is partly because these methods create huge profits for some honey packers.
The universality of the concern with adulteration and fraud is manifest in the recent webinar series held by the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding Trade Dialogues on Food: “Illicit Trade in Food and Food Fraud, Dec. 11, 2023.
Concerns extend far beyond the beekeeping industry, which is a
pioneer of the wider movement for authenticity.
Studies by Canada’s Safe Foods for Canadians (SFCA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have reported an overall increase in the percentage of honey samples that have tested to be adulterated, from 13% (2019- 2020) to 25% (2020-2021) and 22.5% in 2022. The volume of imported honey doubled during that period, from 5.2 million kgs. In 2018 to 10.6 million kgs. In 2022. The Canadian Honey Council is recommending that honey sampling by government agencies be increased according to declines in prices, and that imported honey judged to be adulterated be destroyed. Since the amount of honey sampled in past studies represents only a small amount of all honey imports into Canada, the problem of adulterated product is judged to be much larger than the numbers report. The Canadian Honey Council urges the CFIA to use the testing tools available to it, and increase testing for products from sources which are known to be suspect.
The results from honey sampling by both the Joint Research Center and the CFIA are very startling and significant.
However, the underlying extent of adulteration is far greater than these samplings show. A key reason is that neither of these very valuable studies were able to investigate all the parameters of adulteration or used all the scientific tools capable of exposing honey adulteration, nor did they consider all of the multiple modern modes of adulteration of honey. If they had, their results would have been dramatically enlarged.
If we seek the truth and the whole truth as prerequisites to solving real problems and coming to valid judgments,then we have to employ comprehensive data, investigate all relevant parameters and not allow the cartels to define what parameters are to be looked at and what tests are to be employed.
The new EU Honey Directive takes the principled and scientifically correct stance that it is not those who potentially derive profits from adulteration who have the task to determine what modes to investigate nor what scientific methodologies to use.
Honey antidumping petition status
As of the preparation of this report, there is not a decision as to whether antidumping duties will be changed, or whether critical circumstances, which bear potentially huge financial cost, will be imposed on importers of Vietnamese honey. Vietnam is appealing to the U.S. government to receive market economy status which has the potential to greatly reduce their antidumping duties.
Apiario Diamante, a Brazilian exporter of conventional, organic and specialty honey, successfully argued that the Department of Commerce should reconsider the high tariff of 83% for various reasons, including inability to follow standard investigation procedures during the COVID pandemic. The DOC has 60 days from May 30, 2024, to submit their redetermination. Other Brazilian exporters have rates in the range of 16%.
It is increasingly clear that antidumping petitions are extremely expensive, protracted, and unfortunately ambiguous in their outcomes. Many victories are pyrhhic, transitory victories which
morph into their opposites. The quick increase of honey prices after the filing of the petition eventually collapsed. The price data provided earlier makes this crystal clear.
Despite two significant antidumping petitions, the prices of “honey” in the international, American and European markets have plunged in defiance of the general phenomena of high rates of inflation, the global health pandemic, and international conflicts including wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and North Africa.
Timber, titanium, solar panels, and honey
From the Wall Street Journal, June 11, 2024:
Scientists are embarking on an effort to keep sanctioned Russian timber out of Europe by mapping the unique chemical fingerprints of trees, a process that could be used to vet corporate supply chains for other banned commodities. The project aims to bring science to bear in a fight by companies and governments to stop illegal wood from seeping into timber supply chains — complex, difficult-to-police networks of logging companies, sawmills, wood manufacturers and traders.
To help enforce sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an effort led by Washington-based nonprofit Forest ID created a database allowing customs officials and auditors to identify the origin of the timber. This database is not only being utilized by governments (Belgium has seized significant quantities of illegal timber), but by furniture giant IKEA. “If scaled up,” the article continues, “the project could have broad implications for how companies source a range of other agricultural commodities, such as cotton and cacao.”
Recent investigations have shown that titanium exported from China for use in Boeing’s aircraft was transported with fraudulent documents and the titanium was found to be fake. Titanium provides the strength and lightness needed for today’s advanced jet aircraft.
The U.S. government’s imposition of antidumping duties on imported solar products has been altered so that if China has exported their manufacturing to other countries (which often make only minor changes to products before re-exporting), those figurehead companies will be subject to the Chinese antidumping rates. This is a more sophisticated extension of the Honeygate case of a couple of decades ago, where Chinese honey was trans-shipped through over 30 countries including Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan.A similar situation of fraud occurs in the coffee industry, when Robusta coffee is marketed as the superior quality of Arabica coffee, and authentic high-quality Arabica has to compete with low-priced beans.
On the one hand, China has become engaged in a systemic quest to acquire global strategic resources including farms, fisheries, and forests, factories, mines, energy fields and advanced science. China is also engaged in the dominance and control of national and global markets. It is concurrently the epicenter of adulteration and it has exported those modern modes of honey adulteration throughout the world. At the same time Chinese entities are acquiring companies, factories, exporters, and distributors to whom the modes of adulteration and adulterated products have
been exported. This is an example of systemic evasion.
There is a quote circulating among Chinese officials, as the Chinese empire expands its border and vision: China must “make honey in other lands.” Charles de Gaulle, former President of France, famously remarked that “the 19th century belonged to England, the 20th century to America, and the 21st will belong to China.” All empires have diverse ways of justifying themselves. Masks and disguises, ancient art forms, wear thin. That is happening at this moment.
Ongoing environmental crisis
As we have argued, honey production cannot be abstracted from the environmental crisis. Dr. Jeff Pettis, former leading research scientist at the USDA, and current President of Apimondia, spoke in February at the Canadian National Beekeeping Convention about the important links between the crisis in honey production and environmental conditions: “Traditional calendar-based beekeeping practices are becoming less reliable due to shifting blooming times caused by climate change.” He also explained how research on the effects of rising CO2 levels has shown it to have a negative effect on the concentration of protein in pollen, and highlighted indirect effects such as reduced honey production and broodless periods.
CNN reports about climate conditions in China, with heat waves and droughts in the North, heavy rains and floods in the South. India reports that they are suffering early, record terrible heat waves in 2024. In the U.S. there has been an increase in the number of tornados, floods, heat waves and an early start to the forest fire season. There a book “How to Lie with Statistics” by Darrel Huff. Distortion with statistics has occurred with recent reports of increases in hive numbers. As Kelvin Adee has pointed out, Adee Honey Farms, the largest beekeeping operation in the world, believes that their bees were counted 3-4 times. The deeper reality is the continuing stress on the bees and the difficulty and expense of maintaining global bee populations. Maintaining healthy bee populations amid the increasing vicissitudes and volatility of climate change remains difficult.
In the upper Midwest there are reports of railroad bridges and dams threatened with collapse in June, 2024. In Florida, southern areas have seen more than 14 inches of rainfall in 7 days. Severe weather and a major heat wave are affecting the country.
The NOAA reports that September 2023 was the hottest on record, 2.5 degrees F above average.
Concerns about groundwater depletion in the Bread Basket of the USA are familiar to those in California’s Central Valley and now those concerns are affecting farmers in many states in the central Midwest. Efforts to cut water use and plant crops such as sorghum that need less water than corn, and to monitor ground water are being made in order to conserve water for communities.
India’s capital Delhi is facing a water crisis in June, 2024, after the country suffered its “longest spell” of recorded heatwave. Other countries facing similar weather conditions include Thailand and Vietnam (CNBC June 14, 2024).
(Source: https://climate.copernicus.eu/copernicus-2023-hottest-year-record)
In Antarctica the melting of the “Doomsday Glacier” (Thwaites Glacier) is predicted to accelerate sea level rise, with implications as far away as Florida, according to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (May, 2024).
Scientists worry that the speed of change of the glacier has been underestimated, and that the potential sea level rise as much as 10 feet would be devastating to hundreds of millions living in coastal communities worldwide.
Food adulteration and global warming are two phenomena which require advanced science and cool eyed objectivity to solve. Obscuring the facts only perpetuates these dual crises.
Carlo Buontempo, Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service states: “The extremes we have observed provide a dramatic testimony of how far we now are from the climate in which our civilization developed.” Samantha Burgess asserted:
“2023 was an exceptional year with climate records tumbling like dominos. Not only is 2023 the warmest year on record, it is also the first year with all days over 1°C warmer than the preindustrial period.” Excerpts from the Copernicus report:
“…2023 became the warmest year on record”
“Close to 50% of days were more than 1.5° C warmer than the 1850-1900 pre-industrial levels”
“Annual average air temperatures were the warmest on record, or close to the warmest, over sizeable parts of all ocean basins and all continents except Australia.”
“Global average sea surface temperatures remained persistently and unusually high, reaching record levels.”
“2023 was remarkable for Antarctic Sea Ice”
“The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide and methane continued to increase and reached record levels in 2023.”
“A large number of extreme events were recorded across the globe, including heat waves, floods, droughts and wildfires.”
By mid 2024 climate disasters of floods, heat waves, forest fires, tornados, droughts – all driven by self-feedingprocesses – are causing bridge collapses, dam destruction and other infrastructural collapses.
All such extreme climate events threaten production of authentic honey. In contrast, the production of adulterated honey under the four modern modes of adulteration is unaffected!
A recent study from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, published in Environmental Health Perspectives “identified yield gaps in animal-pollinated foods…and establishes that loss of pollinators is already impacting health on a scale with other global health risk factors…” The economic impact of pollination loss in lower income countries was a decrease of 12-31% in the economic value of their crops, mostly due to fruit and vegetable loss. The health burden was higher in middle and higher income countries.
Conclusion
The U.S. honey industry awaits 1). determination of final antidumping duty rates for certain exporters; 2). legal developments in class action suits involving monopoly and adulterated honey.
The sense of exploitation of beekeepers by the cartel was succinctly expressed by a Canadian beekeeper after his low priced offer was rejected: Why should I lose money while you make good money off my hard work?
Aware of the conundrum of adulteration, some packers are saying in North America, no more offshore honey, we will only take U.S., Canadian or Mexican. Similar sentiments are emerging in Europe.
The real challenge before the world is to make authentic honey, to preserve and protect the world’s bees. For the making of authentic honey has an indirect but powerful relationship to global food security and global peace.
A new, brilliant movie musical tells the story of “Wonka,” a prequel to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which features the actor Hugh Grant and James Edward Carter (the actor we fondly remember as Mr. Carson in Downton Abbey). Young genius Willy, with creativity and ingenuity, produces and creatively markets high-quality authentic chocolates. An evil, sinister cartel of chocolate makers tries to sabotage, thwart and destroy the young genius. In the end, the cartel collapses from its corruption, and authenticity and quality marketed with creativity and integrity triumph! Let it be so with authentic honey produced by the world’s beekeepers.
Ronald Preston Phipps is President of CPNA International, Ltd. and Vice President of the Scientific Commission of Apimondia. He
held a National Science Foundation fellowship in the Philosophy of Theoretical Physics. He is co-organizer of the 2024 Vivaldi Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum and the Mozart Festival at Old Westbury Gardens, integrating music and ecology.
This photo was taken at a charming Bordeaux honey shop managed by beekeepers. The honey is produced a short distance from the city, which is of course more famous for wine.
SECRET WORLD of SOUND
For the past 40 years, natural history filmmaking has wowed audiences with jaw-dropping visuals. Sound has always played a supporting role and is often overshadowed by music. Secret World of Sound, a new three-part series from CBC's The Nature of Things, places sound at centre stage for the first time using innovative technology such as acoustic cameras and vibrometers to reveal new science and tell the unheard stories of animals from around the world. Secret World of Sound is now streaming free across Canada on CBC Gem.
https://gem.cbc.ca/secret-world-of-sound
Use of pesticides in agriculture: Information from Health Canada
This document has been prepared by Health Canada to increase awareness of legislative requirements under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) within the agricultural industry.
In Canada, pest control products, commonly known as pesticides, are regulated at municipal, provincial or territorial and federal levels. The primary objective of the federal Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) is to prevent unacceptable risks to the human health and the environment from the use of pesticides.
Users of pesticides in agriculture are regulated parties that can be subject to a compliance verification by Health Canada. When a violation is identified as a result of an inspection, sample analysis or verification of records, enforcement actions are taken in accordance with Health Canada’s Compliance and enforcement policy for pesticides. Health Canada has a number of enforcement tools at its disposal, including warning letters, compliance orders and administrative monetary penalties up to $10,000 per violation.
Most relevant legislative requirements
☐ Unregistered pest control products - PCPA 6 (1): “No person shall manufacture, possess, handle, store, transport, import, distribute or use a pest control product that is not registered under this Act, … ”
Examples of non-compliances: using, possessing or storing unregistered pesticides, including those whose registration has been discontinued, cancelled or not renewed
☐ Misuse of pest control products - PCPA 6 (5): “No person shall handle, store, transport, use or dispose of a pest control product in a way that is inconsistent with (a) the regulations; or (b) if the product is registered, the directions on the label ”
Examples of non-compliances: using a pesticide contrary to the label directions, including those related to:
• crops and targeted pests
• application rates, methods and equipment requirements
✓ Did you know? Specific requirements are applicable to use of drones when applying pesticides
• number of applications allowed and intervals requirements
• weather conditions requirements
• personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements
✓ Did you know? Different PPE requirements may be specified for mixing, loading, and applying as well as for cleaning up, and repairing equipment that is used.
• buffer zones and vegetative filter strips requirements
• storage requirements
✓ Did you know? Pesticides have to be stored in their original container.
• permitted tank mixes
☐ Activities that endanger health, etc. - PCPA 6 (8): No person shall manufacture, possess, handle, store, transport, distribute, use or dispose of a pest control product in a way that endangers human health or safety or the environment.
PLEASANT VALLEY HONEY LTD.(SW 15-4627-W4 near Falun, AB) requires: Ten APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 8431) with a minimum of 2 years (seasons) experience working on a Canadian style commercial apiary with employment March thru December 2024 $15.65 - $18/hr to start depending on experience (40+ hrs/wk); Duties include: caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner; coordinating the production of replacement bees and equipment; recognising, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatment/ controls; harvest and fill honey barrels and containers; supervise small teams of workers; driving and daily maintenance of vehicles; operate and maintain other apiary equipment; conduct bee yard maintenance; keep some field production records. A motor vehicle operator's licence with no serious infractions, recognised by the Province of Alberta and major insurance companies is an asset. . All wages are negotiable based on experience and productivity. Applicants must be able to work in the presence of honey bees. All positions may require some evening, night & weekend work. All applicants must be in good physical condition and able to work in a team environment. Ability to speak English is an asset. Contact Ryan Olthof in person at the farm to apply.
Classifieds
BUSY BEE FARM LTD. near Hay Lakes, Alberta, requires 8 APIARY LABOURERS (NOC 8431) with a minimum of 1 year experience in commercial beekeeping, wages ranging from $16.50 - $18.00/hour; Also required is 16 APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 8431) with a minimum of three years of experience in Canadian commercial beekeeping, wages ranging from $18.00$26.00/hour. All positions are fulltime (45+ hours/week) for the February 1st – October 31st, 2024 season and involve the work and care of honeybees for honey production and pollination services. All applicants should be physically fit and able to perform work in a team environment. Having a valid driver’s license and the ability to speak English will be considered an asset. Wages are negotiable depending on experience. OnFarm accommodations are available. Applications can be emailed to Mike deJong at busybee@telus. net Busy Bee Farm Ltd, 48549 Range Road 224, Hay Lakes, Alberta T0B 1W0
PALA’S VITAMIN HONEY FARM in Wembley, AB for the 2024 season is seeking 4 positions for APIARY TECHNICIAN (NOC 8431), $16.00.$22.00/hr with 2 years experience minimum, in a commercial Apiary. Wages depend on experience. Major duties: knowledge of hive management, disease diagnoses and prevention, weekend work and evenings. Also require 4 positions for an APIARY WORKER (NOC 8431), $15.65 - $18.50/hr experience required. Major duties include assisting Apiary
Monthly Update
Project Apis m Bellows Award - The TTP created a video highlighting our work We submitted it to the inaugural Bellows Award Stay tuned for the results!
Queen Grafting - The queens we grafted last month were a success! They are now hard at work in their colonies
Vatorex Research Project - The TTP made good use of our new Hivetronics scale to assess honey production of a portion of the project colonies The colonies will be weighed again in two weeks to estimate a 2-week honey production
Colony Health Monitoringcompleted all summer samp CHM program and have ga significant muscle mass. Fall will start in the beginning of
Technician with all duties working with bees. Some weekend and evening work if needed. Physically demanding work (40 hours + a week). Both positions start February 1-November 15, 2024. Staff accomm available. Contact Dan Pala, 721042 Hwy 724. Wembley, AB d.pala@telus. net, phone 780-832-5809, fax 780-766-3009
MIGHTY PEACE HONEY Requires one APIARY SUPERVISOr, NOC 8252, for full time (40+ hrs/ wk, $20-$24/hr depending on experience) year-round employment starting in March 2024. Must have a minimum of 5 seasons working fulltime on a Canadian style commercial operation. Duties include caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner, coordinating the production of replacement bees & equipment; recognizing, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatment/ controls; supervise extracting lines; supervise small to medium teams of workers; drive (including std transmission & medium duty trucks) & daily maintain vehicles; operate & maintain other apiary equipment (including forklifts & pumps and extracting equipment); conduct bee yard maintenance; keep field and/or production records; Accommodation available. We are located at 833071 RR231 Grimshaw, AB Canada. Please contact Mighty Peace Honey PO Box 1759 Grimshaw, AB Canada T0H 1W0. Rob 780 332 4862 or Fax 780 332 4822 or email mightypeacehoney@gmail.com
100% Canadian Made Woodenware & Stainless Steel
EMPLOYMENT
MIGHTY PEACE HONEY Requires Six APIARY TECHNICIANS, NOC 8431, for full time (40+ hrs/ wk) employment ($15.65 - $20/hr depending on experience) February thru October 2024. Must have a minimum of 2 seasons working fulltime on a Canadian style commercial operation. Duties include caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner, coordinating the production of replacement bees & equipment; recognizing, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatment/ controls; harvest & package honey & beeswax; supervise small teams of workers; drive (including std transmission & medium duty trucks) & daily maintain vehicles; operate & maintain other apiary equipment (including forklifts & pumps); conduct bee yard maintenance; keep some field and/or production records; Accommodation available. We are located at 833071 RR231 Grimshaw, AB Canada. Please contact Mighty Peace Honey PO Box 1759 Grimshaw, AB Canada T0H 1W0. Rob 780 332 4862 or Fax 780 332 4822 or email andrewdicksonbeekeeper@gmail.com
Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
SWEETHEART POLLINATORS/JANEIL ENT INC
Sweetheart Pollinators/Janeil Ent Inc located 7 km SW of Eatonia, Sask, has the following positions available for the 2024 season. 5 APIARY TECHNICIANS, NOC 85100 with a minimum of 2 years experience in a Canadian Commercial Apiary. Full time seasonal employment (40 + hrs per week) from March 2024 to September 2024. Wage start at $18.00 to $20.00 per hour (depending on experience) with a possible bonus. Housing available. Duties will include: caring for honeybee colonies, moving bees into and out of pollination fields, monitoring and controlling bee health, keeping all required records, honey harvesting and extraction, construction of new equipment, repairing vehicles and other equipment, driving of vehicles, operate and maintain other apiary equipment. Some evening and weekend work required. Applicants must be in good physical condition (able to lift at least 70 pounds) A valid drivers license is required. Please contact Sweetheart Pollinators
/Janeil Ent Inc. PO Box 155, Eatonia, Sask. S0L 0Y0 (306)463-8864 or email to: sweetheart.pollinators@sasktel.net
GOLDEN EARS APIARIES INC in Mission, BC, is seeking 11 APIARY SUPERVISORS at $15.21/ hr, starting Feb 1,2024 until Oct. 31/2024, working 40+ hrs/week. Apiary Supervisors must have a minimum of 3 seasons working full time (40+hr/wk) in a Canadian style commercial beekeeping operation, and must have a good understanding of honeybee management and have the ability to independently assess hive health and make decisions regarding individual hive management. All positions do require some evening, night and weekend work. All applicants should be able to work in a team environment. English is an asset as well as a valid driving license. Work will be in southern BC ( Fraser Valley). Contact Carolyn Shipley at jmcshipley@shaw.ca.
Classifieds EMPLOYMENT
POELMAN APIARIES LTD.located near Fort Macleod, AB (102007A Range Rd 254) has the following positions available for the 2024 season: 7 FARM SUPERVISORS (SKILLED WORKER, NOC 8252) with a minimum of 5 years(seasons) experience working at a Canadian apiary. Employment needed from March through October 2024; wage starting at $17.50 + (depending on exp. with possible bonus) (40 + hrs/week). Duties will include: caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner; coordinating the production of replacement bees and equipment; recognizing, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatment/controls; harvest and fill honey barrels and containers; supervise small teams of workers; driving of vehicles; operate and maintain other apiary equipment; conduct bee yard maintenance.
16 APIARY TECHNICIAN (LOW SKILL WORKER, NOC 8431) with a minimum of 1-2 years experience. Employment needed from April through November 2024; wage starting at $15.65- $17.50 (depending on exp. with a possible bonus) (40 + hrs/week).
Duties will include: caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner; assisting Technicians with bees and equipment; assisting with harvesting honey; assisting with the bee yard and equipment maintenance.
6 GENERAL FARM WORKER, APIARY LABOURERS (LOW SKILL WORKER, NOC 8431) experience is an asset but will be trained. Employment needed for April through November 2024; wage starting at $16.52 per/hour (with possible bonus) (40 + hrs/week). Duties will include: Supering and harvesting honey, cleaning honey extraction and storage equipment, barrel moving prep, filling and storage, manufacture and assemble and maintain hive equipment, and bee yard maintenance. All wages are negotiable based on experience and productivity. Housing is available. Applicants must be able to work in the presence of honeybees. All positions may require some evening, night & weekend work. All applicants must be in good physical condition and able to work in a team environment.
Email resumes to pollenpal@gmail.com attention Poelman Apiaries or fax to 403-687-2410 or mail to Box 1887 Fort Macleod, AB T0L 0Z0.
TEGART APIARIES is seeking 3 APIAIRY WORKERS with min 2+ years experience at a Canadian Commercial apiary operation. (at $15.65 - $16.40 hr with possible bonus) for July 10, 2024 to November 15, 2024. All applicants must be in good physical condition and able to work in a team. Successful applicants must be accustomed to working with honey bees & have
a good understanding of colony management, bee equipment maintenance & honey extracting/ beeswax processing. Apiary workers can expect on average 45+ hrs/week. Accom. available. Some evening & night work will be required. Main work location is Tegart Apiaries Honey Farms is located 2.5 miles from Fairview, Alberta (30024 TWP RD 820). Position may require travel to Harrison Mills, B. C. for spring and fall hive work (small travel allowance and accommodations provided) For more details or to apply, contact Dan Tegart directly at 780 835 2115 or tegarthoney@ telus.net; PO Box 904, Fairview, AB T0H 1L0
MCW APIARIES has two positions available for APIARY TECHNICIAN (NOC8431) starting February 1st to October 31st 2024. Must have at least three years of commercial beekeeping experience with wage staring at $19.50/hr, accommodation available if required, must have a valid driver's license. Hours are 45 hours per week with some weekends and evenings. Duties include doing and overseeing such tasks as feeding, medicating, spring brood management, queen rearing, making nucs, honey harvesting and moving hives. Contact Mike by fax at 780 624 9408 or mcwap@abnorth.com. We are located at 84172 Range Rd 204 East of Peace River near the hamlet of St Isidore.
MCW APIARIES h has three positions available for Apiary Workers (NOC 85100), starting February 1st to October 31st, 2024. Must have at least one year of experience and a valid driver's license. Accommodation available if required. Wages starting at $17.00/hr with some evening and weekend work. Hours are 45 hours per week with some evening and weekends, the job involves doing such tasks as feeding, edicating, honey harvesting and moving hives. Contact Mike by fax at 780 624 9408 or mcwap@abnorth. com. We are located at 84172 Range Rd 204. East of Peace River near the hamlet of St Isidore.
MCW APIARIES has one full time BEEKEEPING TECHNICIAN (NOC 84120) position available starting February 1st 2024. Must have at least 5 years of commercial beekeeping experience with wage starting at $20 per hour. Accommodation is available if required and must have a valid drivers license. Hours range from 40 to 45 hours per week depending on the time of year with some evenings and weekends. Duties include feeding, medicating, hive management, equipment maintenance, making Nucs, Honey harvesting and moving hives. Contact Mike Williams at mcwap@abnorth.com or 780 618 3507. We are located at 84172 Range Rd 204 East of Peace River near the hamlet of St Isidore.
TEES BEES INC. require Three APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 8431) with a minimum of 2-3 years (seasons) experience working on a Canadian style commercial apiary in the min. capacity of Apiary Worker or General Farm Worker with employment March thru October 2024 ($16.52-$20/hr depending on exp. with possible bonus) (40+ hrs/wk); Duties include: caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner; coordinating the production of replacement bees and equipment; recognizing, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatment/controls; harvest and fill honey barrels and containers; supervise small teams of workers; driving and daily maintenance of vehicles; operate and maintain other apiary equipment; conduct bee yard maintenance; keep some field production records. A motor vehicle operator's licence with no serious infractions, recognized by the Province of Alberta and major insurance companies is required.
Nine APIARY WORKERS (NOC 8431) with a minimum of 1 year (season) experience and with employment March thru October 2024 ($16.52$19/hr depending on exp. with possible bonus) (40+ hrs/wk); Duties include caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner; assisting Technicians with bees and equipment; assisting with harvesting honey; assisting with the bee yard and equipment maintenance.
All wages are negotiable based on experience and productivity. Applicants must be able to work in the presence of honey bees. All positions may require some evening, night & weekend work. All applicants must be in good physical condition and able to work in a team environment. Ability to speak English is an asset.
Contact Jeremy Olthof at 23318-Hwy 50, Tees, AB; mail to RR1, Tees, AB T0C 2N0; or email at teesbeesinc@gmail.com.
SWAN APIARIES are seeking workers for the 2024 season, February 20- October 31 2024, 12 APIARY WORKERS (NOC 8431) and 2 APIARY TECHNICIANS(NOC 8253) in the Westlock area. Applicants for apiary worker must have a minimum 1 year (season) working fulltime on a Canadian style commercial apiary operation as an Apiary Worker. The position is full time (40+ hrs/ week) from mid February to mid October. Major duties involve all aspects of bee colony operations under the supervision of an Apiary Technician. The rate of pay is $15.65 - $16/hr (depending on experience) for apiary worker. Applicants for APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 8253) must have a minimum of 3 years experience on a Canadian style commercial apiary ($17 - $19/hr depending on experience). The position is full time (40+ hrs/ week) from mid February to mid October. Major duties involve all aspects of bee colony operations
Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT
with the assistance of the Apiary Workers. The ability to operate and maintain equipment utilized in the beekeeping industry and keep accurate records for monitoring hive health is essential to the position. The positions are full time and may require evening and weekend work(45hrs+/wk) . Applicants must be in good physical condition as it is physically demanding work. Staff accommodations available. A valid driver’s licence will be considered an asset. Apply with resume to Hendrik Greidanus at Swan Apiaries, 520 4ST SW High River, T1V 1B6 or fax resume to 403-652-7683
GREIDANUS HONEY MILL
We require 5 APIARY WORKERS (NOC 8431) with a minimum of 1 year experience on a Canadian style commercial apiary to work in Northern Saskatchewan ($15.65/hr) in 2024. The position is full time (40+ hrs/week) from early March to late October. Major duties involve all aspects of bee colony operations under the supervision of an Apiary Technician. A motor vehicle Operator’s license that is recognized by the province of Alberta and major insurance companies and the ability to speak English are considered assets. Staff accommodations are available in Northern Saskatchewan. Production bonus may apply. We are seeking workers for the 2024 beekeeping season near High River, AB. All positions will be available on a seasonal basis. Production bonus may apply. All applicants must be physically fit and willing to work in a team environment. Staff accommodations are available. We require 4 APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 8253) with a minimum of 3 years experience on a Canadian style commercial apiary ($17-$19/hr depending on experience). The position is full time (40+ hrs/ week) from mid February to mid October. Major duties involve all aspects of bee colony operations with the assistance of the Apiary Workers. The ability to operate and maintain equipment utilized in the beekeeping industry and keep accurate records for monitoring hive health is essential to the position. A motor vehicle Operator’s license that is recognized by the province of Alberta and major insurance companies is required for these positions. The ability to speak & write in English are assets. We require 4 Apiary Workers (NOC 8431) with a minimum of 1 year experience on a Canadian style commercial apiary ($15.65 - $16.50/hr depending on experience). The position is full time (40+ hrs/week) from mid February to mid October. Major duties involve all aspects of bee colony operations under the supervision of an Apiary Technician. A motor vehicle Operator’s license that is recognized by the province of Alberta and major insurance companies and the ability to speak English are considered assets. We require 4 Apiary Workers (NOC 8431) with a minimum of
1 year experience on a Canadian style commercial apiary ($15.65/hr). The position is full time (40+ hrs/week) from late March to late October. Major duties involve all aspects of bee colony operations under the supervision of an Apiary Technician. A motor vehicle Operator’s license that is recognized by the province of Alberta and major insurance companies and the ability to speak English are considered assets. We require 10 Apiary Labourers (NOC 8431 - $15.65/hr) with a minimum of 1 year experience on a Canadian style commercial apiary. The position is full time (40+ hrs/week) from beginning of June to late Oct. Major duties involve all aspects of harvesting honey and processing beeswax. The ability to speak English is considered an asset. Apply with resume to Grace Strom at The Greidanus Honey Mill, Box 5504, High River, AB T1V 1M6 or fax resume to 403-652-7683
GREIDANUS HONEY-BEE FARM in
Stettler, Alberta is accepting applications for the 2024 season on a seasonal full-time basis. The following positions need to be filled:
4 APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 8431) Full time employment (40+ hrs/week) $17-$18.50/hr depending on experience. Must have minimum 2 years of experience working full time on a commercial honeybee farm. Duties include: woodwork (building bee related equipment), caring for bees in an appropriate manner, coordinating the production of replacement bees and equipment;recognizing, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatments/controls. Moving hives as required;harvest, extract and package honey, lead small teams of workers, drive and maintain vehicles, operate and maintain other beerelated equipment such as forklifts, conduct bee yard maintenance, general cleaning of working/ production areas. Must have avalid driver's license. These positions are from March 15, 2024 thru October 31, 2024
APIARY WORKERS (NOC 8431) Full time (40+ hrs/week) $15.75 -18/hr depending on experience. Minimum 1 year experience. Duties include: woodwork (building bee related equipment), caring for bees in an appropriate manner, assisting technicians with bees and equipment, assisting with moving bees, assisting with honey harvest, extraction and packaging, assisting with bee yard and equipment maintenance, cleaning of working/ production areas. These positions are from April 15, 2024 thru October 31,2024.
2 CASUAL FARM LABOURERS starting @ $16.00 / hr. Duties include: working with cattle, honey bees, farm organization/production, operating farm equipment, and general maintenance of the farm and equipment. These positions are from June 1,2024 thru October 31, 2024. All
wages are negotiable based on experience and productivity. All positions may require some night and weekend work. All applicants must be able to work in the presence of bees, be in good physical condition and able to work in a team environment. On farm housing is available. Resumes: rongreidanus@gmail.com or via mail to: Greidanus Honey Bee Farm c/o 1005271 Alberta LTD, Box 1581, Stettler, Alberta, T0C 2L0
MOUNTAINVIEW HONEY near Cayley, Alberta is seeking interested applicants for 4 positions as APIARY TECHNICIAN NOC 8431 (40+ hrs/ wk) seasonal employment. The applicant must have a minimum of 2 years (seasons) experience working in a Canadian style commercial apiary environment with a minimum of 3 years as an Apiary Technician. Wages will be set by the NOC guidelines approx. $15.65 - $16 per hour, depending on experience. Possible bonus may also apply. Duties include caring for honeybee colonies, moving beehives into an out of canola pollination fields, monitoring and controlling bee health issues, honey harvesting and extraction, construction of new beehive equipment, all duties associated with a Canadian style commercial apiary. Preference will be given to applicants that have a valid drivers licence recognised by the province of Alberta. Ability to drive a lift truck is an asset. Ability to speak English is an asset, must be physically fit, & be prepared to work in a fast-paced team environment. Staff accommodations available. Please fax, mail, or email your resume to Mountainview Honey, Attn: Terry Greidanus, at Box 126 Cayley, AB, T0L 0P0. or jobs@mountainviewhoney.com
LYNES APIARIES LTD.
(61118 Range Road 251) has 7 positions available for APIARYTECHNICIANS (NOC 8431). Applicants must have two years of Apiary technician experience. The rate of pay is $16.52-$19.00/hr., depending on experience. Applicants must be able to work in the presence of bees and will assist with colony management and honey extraction and processing. Duties include caring for honeybee colonies and coordinating the production of replacement bees and equipment. Also: recognizing, reporting, monitoring and controlling hive health issues. These positions are available from March to October 2024 (45+ hours per week). All positions may require some evening and weekend work. A valid driver's license may be required. Applicants must be physically fit and willing to work in a team environment. Staff accommodations will be provided. Apply with a resume to Daryl or Sharon Lynes, Lynes Apiaries Ltd., P.O. Box 272, Clyde, Alberta T0G 0P0. Email: sdlynes@hotmail.com
Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
MOUNTAINVIEW HONEY near Cayley, Alberta is seeking interested applicants for 3 positions as APIARY SUPERVISOR NOC 8252 (40+ hrs/ wk) seasonal employment. The applicant must have a minimum of 5 years (seasons) experience working in a Canadian style commercial apiary environment with a minimum of 3 years as an Apiary Technician. Wages will be set by the NOC guidelines approx. $15.65 - $19.00 per hour, depending on experience. Possible bonus may also apply. Duties will include Supervising and working with Apiary technicians, caring for honeybee colonies, moving beehives into an out of canola pollination fields, monitoring and controlling bee health issues, honey harvesting and extraction, construction of new beehive equipment, all duties associated with a Canadian style commercial Apiary. Must be able to drive a lift truck. The applicant must have a valid drivers licence recognised by the province of Alberta. Ability to speak English is an asset, must be physically fit, & be prepared to work in a fastpaced team environment. Staff accommodations available. Please fax, mail, or email you resume to Mountainview Honey, Attn: Terry Greidanus, at Box 126 Cayley, AB, T0L 0P0. or jobs@ mountainviewhoney.com
GULL LAKE HONEY COMPANY
in Lacombe County (41113 Rg Rd 282 - 18 Kms west of Lacombe, AB) is looking for (1) SUPERVISOR ($18-$22/hr + possible bonuses - NOC 8253) for employment March – October 2024. Accommodations are provided. The position is full time, 44+ hrs per week. Some weekend and night work may be required. The Supervisor must have 3+ years working in a Canadian commercial apiary working as a supervisor. Duties include but are not limited to: Supervise and train other workers in caring for, splitting and managing honey bee colonies, monitoring and controlling colony health, moving bee colonies to new bee yards, woodwork for new and repairing of bee equipment, honey harvesting and extraction, and winter preparation and wrapping. Canadian Drivers licence is required. We are also hiring (3) APIARY TECHNICIANS ($17-$20/hr + possible bonuses - NOC 8431) for employment March –October 2024. Accommodations are provided. The positions are full time, 44+ hrs per week. Some weekend and night work may be required. The workers must have 1+ years working in a Canadian commercial apiary. Duties include but are not limited to: Assisting with care, splitting and managing honey bee colonies, monitoring and controlling colony health, woodwork for new and repairing of bee equipment, honey harvesting and extraction, and winter preparation and wrapping. We are also hiring (3) GENERAL FARM WORKERS ($15.75-$17/hr + possible bonuses) for employment March – October 2024. Accommodations are provided. The positions are
full time, 44+ hrs per week. Some weekend and night work may be required. Duties include but are not limited to: Assisting with care, splitting and managing honey bee colonies, woodwork for new and repairing of bee equipment, honey harvesting and extraction, and winter preparation and wrapping. Please contact: gulllakehoney@ gmail.com or 780.916.2263.
CHRISTENSEN BEE RANCH LTD. located
in Mallaig Alberta is seeking two APIARY WORKERS (NOC 8431) with a minimum of 1 year of commercial beekeeping experience. The positions are full time seasonal work from April to October. Wages for this position are between $16.52 and $19 per hour depending on experience. Duties include assisting with spring, summer and fall beehive management, moving hives, harvesting and extracting honey, driving and maintaining trucks, forklifts, pumps, leaf blowers and chain saws. All applicants must be in good physical condition, be able to work in a team environment and have a valid driver’s licence. Contact Paul Christensen by email at christensenbeeranch@gmail.com
PARADIS VALLEY HONEY LTD Apiary in Watino, AB (NE-34-77-24-W5); requires the following for the 2024 season. 6-APIARY TECHNICIANs (NOC8431) $15.65/hr. Apiary technician applicants must have a minimum 3 years experience with commercial beekeeping and are expected to work effectively unsupervised. Experience driving trucks and a clean driving record are assets. These 6 positions are seasonal/full-time positions from Feb 1, 2024 to Nov 1, 2024 with 40-50 hours per week. Hours of work are dependent on weather conditions. No formal education is needed for. Successful candidates will take part in the break-down and re-building of live bee colonies, honey harvest, honey extraction, collection of bee pollen and seasonal feeding of hives. On-site farm housing is available. Interested applicants can apply my emailing resumes to info@paradisvalleyhoney.com
LYNES APIARIES LTD. (61118 Range Road 251) has 10 positions available for Apiary Workers (NOC 8431). Applicants must have a minimum 1 year apiary work experience. The rate of pay is $16.52 - $ 17.00/hr. depending on experience. Applicants must be able to work in the presence of bees. Duties include: assisting Technicians with bees and equipment, harvesting honey and extracting. Also: bee yard and equipment maintenance. These positions are available from July to September 2024 (45+ hours per week). All positions may require some evening and weekend work. A valid driver's license may be required. Applicants must be physically fit and willing to work in a team environment. Staff
accommodations will be provided. Apply with a resume to Daryl or Sharon Lynes, Lynes Apiaries Ltd., P.O. Box 272, Clyde, Alberta T0G 0P0. Email: sdlynes@hotmail.com
YUAN ENTERPRISES is seeking for one APIARY TECHNICIAN (from April 15 to November 30, 2024) and one Apiary worker (from June 15 to September 15, 2024) in Peace River, AB. Applicants must be in good physical condition and do all beekeeping management. Wages from $15.65/hr, depending on experience. Email canadian.prairie.honey@gmail.com or Box 7554, Peace River, AB, T8S 1T2
DEJONG’S HONEY
FARM
BROOKS, AB requires four general farm workers (NOC 8431) from March 20, 2024 to November 1, 2024. $17/hr. 30 to 60 hours a week. Must be willing to do some weekend work. Three years beekeeping experience a necessity. Specific skills include apiary work, queen management, harvesting honey, assemble, maintain, and clean supers and frames, and work around bees. Work is fast paced, repetitive, and physically demanding. Must be a team player, able to operate a lift truck, and automatic honey extractor. Valid drivers license is an asset. Located in isolated rural area. WCB coverage is provided. Worker accommodation is available. Location is #9 Hajash 190012 RR 142. Fax resume to 1-403-362-6506, call 1-403-5014226 or email dejongshoney@gmail.com
GREIDANUS FARMS INC.at Granum, AB requires 17 general farm workers (NOC 8431) from March 9, 2024 to November 9, 2024. $16.52/ hr. 30 to 72 hours a week. Possible bonus. Must be willing to do some weekend work. Three years beekeeping experience a necessity. Specific skills include apiary work, queen management, harvesting honey, preparing honey for market, assemble, maintain, and clean supers and frames, and work around bees. Work is fast paced, repetitive, and physically demanding. Must be a team player, able to operate a lift truck and automatic honey extractor. Valid drivers license is an asset. Located in isolated rural area. WCB coverage provided. Worker accommodation is available. Fax resume to 403-687-2375 or e-mail ggreidanus@hotmail.com
GREIDANUS APIARIES in Sturgeon County, Alberta for the 2024 season from March to November. Requiring four (4) Apiary Labourers, six (6) Apiary Workers and six (6) APIARY TECHNICIANs. Seeking four (4) Apiary Labourers at $16.00/hr for seasonal/full time position. (54.00 hrs/wk) As Apiary Labourer you are required in all manual labour of the Apiary as directed. Main duties involve all aspects of harvesting honey and processing beeswax. Apiary Labourer must have a minimum of one
Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
year of experience. Seeking six (6) Apiary Workers at $17.00/hr for seasonal/full time position. (54.00 hrs/wk) As Apiary Worker you are required to assist management and apiary technician with beehive maintenance, this involves cleaning, checking, treating and feeding colonies, honey harvesting and extracting. Apiary Worker must have a minimum of one year of experience. Seeking six (6) APIARY TECHNICIANs at $18.00/hr for seasonal/full time position. (54.00 hrs/wk) As Apiary Technician you are required to work with, supervise and instruct other employees. Other requirements include maintaining field records, monitoring and reporting to management. Apiary Technicians must have a minimum of two years of experience. Accomm for all positions are provided. Bonuses apply. Email grapiaries@ gmail.com. Greidanus Apiaries Ltd. 56107 Range Road 245, Sturgeon County, AB, T8R 0M1.
WESTLOCK HONEY PRODUCERS INC. Located at 59332 RR15 Westlock County is seeking applicants for the following positions available in the 2024 season: 4 APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 8431). $15.65 - $21/hr depending on experience. Full time 45+ hrs per week Feb thru Oct 2024. Applicants must have a minimum 2-3 seasons experience working in a Canadian commercial apiary. Duties include spring, summer and fall management of bee colonies, bee health monitoring, hive feeding, honey harvesting, operating /maintaining apiary equipment and coordinating some workers. Two apiary workers (NOC 8431) with a minimum of 1 year (season) experience and with full time employmentApril thru September 2024. ($15.65 - $18 /hr depending on experience) Duties include assisting technicians with bees and equipment, honey harvesting and equipment maintenance. A valid drivers license may be required for some of the positions. All applicants must be in good physical condition, ability to speak English is an asset. Must be able to work with bees in a fast paced team environment. Email westlockhoney@ gmail.com or mail to Westlock Honey Producers RR1 Busby, AB T0G 0H0
KIWI BRIAN’S HONEY near Coaldale AB, (94056 H845), is seeking employees for the 2024 season. APIARY TECHNICIANS: 8431 (4 positions; starting at $16.50 -$21.00/hr.) and Apiary Workers NOC: 8431 (15 positions; starting at $16 - 18.50/hr.) and Farm Laborers (3 Positions; starting at $15.75-16.00/hr.) needed full time (45+ hrs./wk.) as early as February 1, 2024, up until November 16, 2024, weather depending. Some evening, night and weekend work will be required. Accommodations are available if required. All applicants must be willing to work with both leafcutter and honeybees, be
in good physical condition, and work in a team environment. Having a valid Alberta driver’s license and the ability to speak English will be considered an asset. All applicants must be able to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain health and safety of self and others.
APIARY TECHNICIANS must have a minimum of 3 seasons of full-time experience in a commercial apiary, have the ability to supervise/ train staff, have knowledge in commercial hive management for pollination, honey production, queen rearing and disease diagnosis. Must be able to oversee and maintain hive equipment, bee yard and storage facilities.
APIARY WORKERS must have a minimum of 1 season full time experience in a commercial apiary, and have knowledge to assist technicians with hive management, building and repairing bee equipment, placement/pick-up of pollination equipment, and honey harvest / extraction/processing. Must be able to maintain hive equipment, bee yard and storage facilities.
APIARY LABORERS do not require any experience but must be committed to working with bees, be in good physical condition and can work in hot, sweaty, fast paced environment. All wages are negotiable based on knowledge /experience/skill set. Personal Protection Equipment benefit is provided to all staff. Bonuses may be available. Please email resumes to kiwijobs@witdouckfarms.com Drop off resumes at 94056 Highway 845 Coaldale AB
HICKS HONEY FARMS LTD. Near McLennan, AB 77405 RR 193A is seeking for the 2024 season, 8 APIARY TECHNICIANS, NOC 8431. Applicants should have between 3-5 years experience working in a Canadian style commercial beekeeping operation. Duties include, helping to feed, treat, split, and monitor springbuild up. Also responsible for helping to prepare hives for harvest, including, adding supers, monitoring hives, and setting up bee locations. Once harvest begins, applicants should be able to run a crew pulling honey, picking up honey, or extracting. Applicants will be required to help, feed, treat and prepare bees for winter in the fall. Work begins February 18, 2024 and goes until November 5, 2024. Also seeking 9 APIARY WORKERS NOC 8431. These workers should have 1 year experience working in a Canadian style commercial operation. Wages will be between $16.50 - $18 depending on experience and efficiency. These applicants will be expected to help technicians with all duties related to beekeeping, including, spring preparation, feeding, treating, harvest preparation, extracting, and fall feeding and winter preparation. All jobs may have weekend and evening work. Accomodations available. There may be some spring and fall work in the Similkameen valley in B.C. Apply to hicksry82@gmail.com or mail to Hicks Honey Farms Ltd., box 181, McLennan, AB T0H 2L0
LALLIER APIARIES Located at 56226 Range road 64 Sangudo, AB is in need of one (1) APIARY WORKER (low skill worker) for the 2024 season; wage $16/hr. The position is full time (40+ hrs/ wk depends on the weather). The season willstart on March 2024 until October 2024. TheApiary Worker will assist the Apiary Technician with beehive maintenance this involves unwrapping, cleaning, treating, make new hives(splits), honey harvesting & extracting, feeding and wrapping in the fall. Applicant may send a resume to extremehaulinginc@gmail.com.
PARADIS HONEY LTD. 5023-50 St & SW4-78-23-W5 Girouxville, AB requires: APIARY TECHNICIANS – NOC 84120 (2 positions) ($16.52 - $20.00/hr depending on experience. Bonuses possible) for full time, year round work (40+ hrs/wk) from October 1, 2024 to October 1, 2025. Must have a minimum of 2+ yrs experience working with bees in a Canadian style commercial apiary. Applicants must be able to work in presence of honeybees
Technician duties:
Caring for honeybee colonies, coordinating the production of replacement bees and equipment. Recognizing, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatment/ controls. Harvest and package honey, beeswax and pollen. Supervise small teams of workers. Drive & daily maintenance of vehicles (including Std transmission & medium duty trucks). Operate & maintain other apiary equipment including forklifts, chainsaws & pumps). Conduct beeyard maintenance. Keep some field and or production records.
APIARY TECHNICIANS – NOC 84120 (10 positions) ($16.52 - $20.00/hr depending on experience. Bonuses possible) for full time, work (40+ hrs/wk) from February, 2024 to November, 2024. Must have a minimum of 2+ yrs experience working with bees in a Canadian style commercial apiary. Applicants must be able to work in presence of honeybees.
Technician duties:
Caring for honeybee colonies, coordinating the production of replacement bees and equipment. Recognizing, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatment/ controls. Harvest and package honey, beeswax and pollen. Supervise small teams of workers. Drive & daily maintenance of vehicles (including Std transmission & medium duty trucks). Operate & maintain other apiary equipment including forklifts, chainsaws & pumps). Conduct beeyard maintenance. Keep some field and or production records.
APIARY WORKERS – NOC 85100 (4 positions) ($16.52 - $18.00/hr depending on experience. Bonuses possible). For full time work (40+ hrs/wk) from February, 2024 to November,
EMPLOYMENT
2024. Applicants must be able to work in the presence of honeybees
Apiary worker duties:
Caring for honeybee colonies. Assisting technicians with bees and equipment, assisting with harvesting honey, beeswax and pollen. Assisting with beeyard & equipment maintenance. Conduct beeyard maintenance.
Some Apiary Technicians may be required to spend 3-4 months out of province to BC (March-June) as bees may be moved to BC for spring pollination services and return to AB mid-June. Room and board will be provided for employees working in BC. Must be able to travel out of province. English an asset. No skills or education required. All positions may require some evening, night and weekend work. All applicants must be in good physical condition and have the ability to handle heavy loads, bending, crouching, kneeling. Accomm provided. Rural area. Apply: info@ paradishoney.com or mail to Paradis Honey Ltd, c/o Lise Paradis Box 99, Girouxville, AB T0H 1S0
SEVERSON HONEY FARM at 48143 Range Rd 204 Camrose, AB is seeking for the 2024 season from Feb – Nov 1: 8 apiary workers (NOC8431) with a min of 1-year experience, wages starting at $16.52/hr & 7 APIARY TECHNICIANs (NOC8431) with a min of 2-3 years experience, wage starting at $16.50/hr. These positions are fulltime 40+ hrs/week & may req. some evening,night, weekend work. Work involves care of honey bees for honey production & pollination services. All applicants must be physically fit &be able to perform work in a team environment. On farm accomm are avail. Wages are negotiable depending on experience. Please send resume to Russell at rads@netkaster.ca Cell 780-608-0076.
Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
available, February to October 2024) - $16.75/ hour plus bonus for superior work. Duties include caring for honeybee colonies; harvesting honey, pollen and beeswax. Minimum one year experience required in a Canadian-style commercial apiary.
Apiary Harvester NOC 85101 (8 seasonal positions available, February to October 2024)$16.75/hour plus bonus for superior work. Duties include harvesting and extracting honey, pollen
ongoing with aim of being permanent) - $18.50+/ hour plus bonus for superior work. Duties involve understanding all the positions above as well as having the ability to plan the work load and manage 5-10 workers in a specific area of the operation as the lead worker
55 USG Open Head
20 gauge body & lid lever locking closure & epoxy phenolic lining also available in 5/8” bolt & ring FDA Approved
All positions are physically demanding and involve standing/bending/crouching for long periods; heavy lifting; repetitive tasks; working outdoors in the heat in a rural environment; driving and maintaining farm equipment (class 5 driver’s license required, class 3 preferred); 40-70 hours per week including evenings, weekends and overtime as required, as well as ability to work in a team environment and show attention to detail.
Positions are in Rosedale, British Columbia with summer months spent in Boyle, Alberta. Accommodation provided at both locations.
Worker Bee Honey Company Ltd. 10609 McGrath Road, Rosedale, BC V0X 1X2 tel: 604-794-3315; fax: 604794-3085; jobs@workerbeehoney.ca
WORKER BEE HONEY COMPANY APIARY
TECHNICIAN NOC 84120 (6 seasonal positions available, January to November 2024) - $18.00/ hour plus bonus for superior work. Duties include caring for honeybee colonies; recognizing and monitoring hive issues; supervising 2-4 Apiary Workers; harvesting, extracting and packaging honey, beeswax and pollen; using power tools; and maintaining field and/or production records, including using an online app. Three years’ experience required in a Canadian-style commercial apiary.
Apiary Worker NOC 85100 (8 seasonal positions
and beeswax. Minimum six months’ experience in a Canadian-style commercial apiary.
APIARY WORKER NOC 85100 (8 seasonal positions available, February to October 2024) - $16.75/hour plus bonus for superior work. Duties include caring for honeybee colonies; harvesting honey, pollen and beeswax. Minimum one year experience required in a Canadian-style commercial apiary.
Apiary Harvester NOC 85101 (8 seasonal positions available, February to October 2024)$16.75/hour plus bonus for superior work. Duties include harvesting and extracting honey, pollen and beeswax. Minimum six months’ experience in a Canadian-style commercial apiary.
APIARY MANAGERS NOC 80020 (3 positions
GOOD MORNING HONEY LTD.in Parkland County, AB (51516RR15) is looking for: (2) APIARY TECHNICIANS ($17-$20/hr depending on experience) NOC8431 for employment during March thru October 2024 season. The positions are seasonal full time (44+ hrs/wk). Some weekend, evening and night work required. On-farm accommodations available. Located 10 min SW of Stony Plain, Alberta. The Apiary Technician must have a minimum of three years experience in a Canadian commercial apiary working as an Apiary Technician or Apiary worker. Experience required in hive management for honey production, disease diagnosis, general hive health and mite threshold monitoring. Applicants must be in good physical condition. A valid driver's license is an asset.
We also require (3) APIARY WORKERS ($16 -$19/ hr depending on experience) NOC8431 with employment during March thru October 2024 season. The positions are seasonal full time (44+ hrs/wk). Some weekend, evening and night work required. On-farm accommodations available. Located 10 min SW of Stony Plain, Alberta. The Apiary Worker MUST be able to work in the presence of honey bees and will assist with colony management as well as honey extraction. Applicants must be in good physical condition and have a minimum 1+ year experience working
Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
in a Canadian style commercial apiary. We also require (2) APIARY LABOURER (Bee Farm Worker) ($16/hr) NOC 8431 with employment during March thru October 2024 season. This position is seasonal full time (44+ hrs/wk.) Some weekend, evening and night work required. On-farm accommodations available. Located 10 min SW of Stony Plain, Alberta. The Apiary Labourer MUST be able to work in the presence of honey bees. Applicants must be in good physical condition. Experience is an asset. Production bonus payments may be included for all positions. Email resumes to Richard at albertahoney@gmail. com or send mail to 2-51516 RR15 Parkland County, AB T7Y 2E8. Clearly indicate which position you are applying for. These are seasonal jobs that do not start until March of 2024.
YAREMCIO HONEY is seeking 8 full time seasonal APIARY TECHNICIANs (NOC 8431) for the 2024 March to November Season. Apiary Technician's must have previous beekeeping experience (7 months to 1 year experience).They must be able to work in a team environment, as well as independently. Additionally, Apiary Technicians need to be able to pay great attention to detail and handle the pressure of working under tight deadlines. Previous leadership experience is considered an asset, along with, a valid driver's license. Duties of an Apiary Technician include but are not limited to site preparation, site maintenance, colony management, honey extraction, and preparing hives for winter. Hours of work are minimum 40 hours per week or more. The salary for Apiary Technicians is $15.65 - $25.00 per hour.
reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatments/controls. Moving hives as required; harvest, extract and package honey, lead small teams of workers, drive and maintain vehicles, operate and maintain other bee related equipment such as forklifts, conduct bee yard maintenance, general cleaning of working/production areas. One of these positions is from February 2024 thru June 2024. The other two positions are from February 2024
night and weekend work. All applicants must be able to work in the presence of bees, be in good physical condition and able to work in a team environment. On farm housing is available. Email resumes to: info@nixonhoney.ca or mail to: Nixon Honey Farm, #20, 35566 RR 263, Red Deer County, Alberta, T4G 0C9
NIXON HONEY FARM in Red Deer County, Alberta is accepting applications for the 2024 season on a seasonal full time basis. The following positions need to be filled: 3 APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 8431) Full time employment (40+ hrs/week) $17-21/hr depending on experience with possible bonus. Must have minimum 2 years of experience working full time on a commercial honeybee farm. Duties include: woodwork (building bee related equipment), caring for bees in an appropriate manner, coordinating the production of replacement bees and equipment; recognizing,
thru October 2024.
14 APIARY WORKERS (NOC 8431) Full time (40+ hrs/week) $15.65 -19.50/hr depending on experience, possible bonuses. Minimum 1 year experience. Duties include: woodwork (building bee related equipment), caring for bees in an appropriate manner, assisting technicians with bees and equipment, assisting with moving bees, assisting with honey harvest, extraction and packaging, assisting with bee yard and equipment maintenance, cleaning of working/production areas. One of these positions is from July 2024 thru October 2024. The other twelve positions are from February 2024 thru October 2024. All wages are negotiable based on experience and productivity. All positions may require some
S.S. HONEY INC. S.S. Honey Inc. is looking for 4 positions to be filled for the upcoming 2024 bee season. 2 Apiary technicians (NOC 8431) from April 1 2024 to October 31 2024. Full Time Seasonal employment on a Canadian commercial beekeeping operation. (40+/hrs a week) $18 to $20/hr depending on experience, minimum 3 year experience. Must be physically fit and be able to work as a team. Duties include and are not limited to: Hive Management, Detecting Hive Diseases, Treating Hive Diseases, Extraction of Honey, Operating Farm equipment. Apiary Techs are required to be team leaders and must be able to manage a team. 2 APIARY WORKERS (NOC 8431) from April 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024. Full time seasonal employment on a Canadian commercial beekeeping operation. (40+hours a week) $16.00 to 18.00 depending on experience. Must be physically fit and be able to work as a team. Duties include and are not limited to: Hive Management, Detecting Hive Diseases, Treating Hive Diseases, Extraction of Honey, Operating Farm equipment. International Drivers License is an asset. Some evenings and weekends are required. Worker Accommodation is available. Send resume to sshoneyinc@gmail.com or by mail Box 765, High Prairie, Ab, T0G-1E0
BUTZ APIARIES 1
Apiary Worker for Jun-Oct, 2024 and 1 APIARY WORKER Jul-Sep, 2024. Starting $17.44/hour according to NOC 85100 guidelines. 45 plus hrs/wk. 1+ year Canadian commercial beekeeping experience required and must be physically fit and able to work with bees. Duties include honey harvesting, extraction, equipment maintenance and associated duties. Jun-Oct Apiary Harvest Worker will also assist with winter hive preparation. Contact Butz Apiaries, butzbuzz@ gmail.com. PO Box 36 Carnwood AB T0C 0W0.
EMPLOYMENT
WILDROSE COUNTRY APIARY LTD. in Smoky Lake AB, is seeking to hire 4 seasonal APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 85100) from March thru October 2024. $16.52-20hr 30-60 hours a week. 1 year experience is required. Specific skills include colony management, honey production, spring & winter preparation, and general maintenance on the farm. Must be physically fit and prepared to work in an efficient team environment. Expect some weekend and evening work. Located in a rural setting. Worker accommodation is provided. Email: wildrosecountryapiary@gmail.com
P & J APIARIES INC. (10) APIARY TECHNICIAN(s) (NOC 84120) $17.44-$22.00/hr. depending on experience for full time (50+ hrs/wk) employment February thru October 2024. No educational requirement. Must have a minimum of 2-3 years (seasons) working fulltime on a Canadian style commercial apiary operation as an Apiary Technician or in the min. capacity of an Apiary Worker. All Duties associated with Canadian style commercial apiary such as Spring,
Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
Summer, Fall management of bee colonies, bee health monitoring, feeding, honey production and harvest, maintaining quality control/ production, and safety records, operating and maintaining apiary equipment including trucks and forklifts, and coordination of some workers. - (10) APIARY WORKER(s) (NOC 85100) $17.44$19.00/hr. depending on experience for full time (50+ hrs/wk) employment March thru October 2024. No educational requirement. Must have a minimum of 1 year (season) working fulltime on a Canadian style commercial apiary operation as an Apiary Worker or in the min. capacity of an Apiary Harvester/Labourer. All duties related to Canadian style commercial apiary associated with assisting Beekeepers/Apiary Technicians with Spring, Summer, Fall colony management, moving colonies, maintaining of apiary equipment, and all aspects in the collection extraction/processing of honey.
All positions may require some evening & weekend work. All applicants must be in good physical conditions and able to work in a
fast-pace team environment. All Applicants must be able to work in the presence of bees. A valid driver’s license may be required for some of the Apiary Technician positions. Apply with resume to P & J Apiaries Inc., @p.j.apiaries.applicants@shaw.ca, (Location 61232 – RR240 Westlock Co. AB.)
P & J APIARIES INC-(6) APIARY HARVESTER(S)NOC 85101 (6) Positions- $17.44 per/hr. The positions are available on a seasonal/full-time basis (50+ hrs. per week) for May to October 2024. Apiary Harvester duties include honey harvesting, collecting & processing of honey
No educational requirement, experience an asset. Apiary Harvester position may require some evening & weekend work. All applicants must be in good physical conditions and able to work in a fast-paced team environment. Experience an asset. All Applicants must be able to work in the presence of bees. Apply with resume to Todd Eastman at P & J Apiaries Inc., p.j.apiaries.applicants@shaw.ca, Fax.: 780 349 6610. (Location 61232 – RR240 Westlock Co. AB.)
Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT
PHILPOTT HONEY PRODUCERS LTD
located 10 kms north of Brooks is accepting resumes for APIARY WORKERS for the 2024 beekeeping season. The position starts Feb 1st, 2024 and carries on until Oct 31st, 2024. Full time hours (45+hrs/week) and some weekends and evenings are required. All applicants must be in good physical condition and be able to work well with others. Duties to include helping with all aspects of beekeeping and honey production in a commercial beekeeping operation. No experience is necessary as on job training given; however, is an asset. Starting wage is $16.52/hour and is negotiable depending on exp. with a performance bonus determined at end of season. On-farm accommodations are also available. Please email resumes to colin@ philpotthoney.ca or mailed to box 555, Brooks AB, T1R 1B5 or faxed to 403-362-4350
MARC G. PARADIS NE 23-79-5W6 Rycroft, AB. – NOC 8431(4 positions) ($15.65 - $16.50/hr depending on experience) for full time (40+hrs/wk) from Feb to Nov, 2024. Applicants must be able to work in presence of honeybees (Apiary work) & will assist with colony management & harvest crop. English an asset. No skills, experience or education required. All positions may require some evening, night and weekend work. All applicants must be in good physical condition and able to work in a team environment. Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment. Valid driver’s license an asset. Apiary Workers Accommodation is available. Rural area. Apply: rycrofthoney@gmail. com or mail to Marc G Paradis, Box 487, Rycroft, AB T0H 3A0.
AP HONEY FARM LTD in Wanham AB for the 2024 season is seeking two positions for APIARY TECHNICIAN (NOC 8253) $15.65 - $17 with 2 years experience minimum, in a commercial apiary, wages depends on experience. Major duties: knowledge of hive management, disease diagnoses & prevention, weekend work & evenings. Also require seven positions for Apiary Worker (NOC8431), $16.52 -$17 experience required. Major duties, include assisting Apiary Technician with all the duties in the work with bees. Some weekend & evenings work if needed, physically demanding work (45/ hrs + a week of work). Both positions start Jan 15 - November 15, 2024. Staff accomm available. Send resumes to Artur Pala palashoney@ hotmail.com or fax 780 694 2282.
HONEY MEADOWS FARM is located in Foothills County, Alberta. We are looking to hire 14 beekeepers for the 2024 season, beginning mid January through to mid October (~45+hours/ week). The work entails colony management,
harvesting and extracting honey as well as manufacturing and repair of apiary equipment. The positions fall under NOC:84120 - $16.52/ hr - will adjust according to NOC guidelines if required. Successful applicants must have experience working with bees on a commercial honey farm for at least 2 seasons. Please email resumes to Honeymeadows1@hotmail.com
NOLTE APIARIES Nolte Apiaries at 55503 Rge Rd 260 Sturgeon County, AB. T8R 0T6. Seeking 4 Apiary Technicians with 3+ yrs experience in Canadian commercial beekeeping. Education not required. Salary $17.44 to $24/hr. Job duties: bee colony management, honey harvesting. Seeking 10 Apiary workers NOC 85100 wage $17.44-$22/hr. 1yr experience & education not required. Job duties assist with bee colony management & honey harvesting. Seeking 6 Apiary labourers wage $17.44-$20/ hr. No experience, no education. Job duties honey harvesting. All positions manufacturing & assemble hive equipment & handle heavy loads. March to November 2025. 40+hrs/wk. Valid driver’s license an asset. Apply by e-mail bee.farmerjob@gmail.com
WOLFE HONEY COMPANY INC. requires 12 BEEKEEPER APIARY WORKERS for full time/ seasonal work (40-50 hrs/ wk.) for beekeeping season (approximately end of Feb to beginning of Nov 2024) in Guy, AB. Wages will be set by the NOC guidelines and is currently $16.52 per hour, with a possibility of a bonus. Accommodation is provided in Guy. All applicants must be physically fit and able to work in the presence of honeybees. The job duties under the direction of the Field Supervisor and Managers include: maintaining the health of live honeybees, moving bees, collection & extraction of honey & preparing bees for winter. Also includes some woodwork for new beehive equipment, and general shop cleaning & maintenance. There will be some evening, weekend and night work required. This is an entry level position with on the job training. There are no job experience or educational requirements for this position. We work in a team environment. Wolfe Honey Company Inc. is located at 501049th Street in Guy, AB, T0H 1Y0. The hamlet of Guy is located in the Municipal District of Smoky River. Applications accepted by email to hr@honeybunny. ca or by fax: 780-925-2943.
WOLFE HONEY COMPANY INC. is seeking an Apiary Manager for the 2024 beekeeping season. Must be able to communicate fluently in Spanish and English. Must be detailed oriented with strong organizational and interpersonal skills and have a minimum of 3 years working
in a Canadian style beekeeping operation. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to maintain equipment. Must be able to keep detailed field and production records. Duties include caring for honeybee colonies, coordinating the moving of bee colonies, plan daily work duties with staff, etc. Year round employment and accommodation available. $20-$24/hr. We are located in Guy, AB. Serious inquiries only Please contact Gilbert Wolfe at 780-925-2282 or email gilbert@honeybunny.ca
MOONDANCE HONEY INC located at 55063 TWP RD 704 has the following positions for the 2024 beekeeping season. Apiary Technician (NOC 8431) 4 seasonal positions. Wages $17-$19, depending on experience. Duties include hive management, queen introduction and nuc production, pest/disease recognition and treatment, hive supering, honey removal and extraction, and winter hive preparation. Shop work includes equipment construction and repair. Positions require 2-5 years of experience. Apiary Worker (NOC 8431) - 2 seasonal positions, $15.65-17/hr, depending on experience. Duties include assisting the Apiary Technicians with the duties described above. Seasonal positions run from mid-April to early October. Apply to termeerbill@yahoo.ca or fax your resume to 780-833-5747
SUPERNUC APIARIES
llocated near Granum, AB (251032 TWP RD 104) has the following positions for the 2024 season. APIARY TECHNICIAN (NOC 8431) 1 position; wage starting at $16.52 - $22.00/hr, and APIARY WORKERS (NOC 8431) 2 positions: starting at $16.52 - $20.00/hr, needed full time (45+ hrs/wk) from Mar 1, 2024 through October 31, 2024. Apiary technicians must have a minimum of 3 seasons of full-time experience in a Canadian commercial apiary and have the ability to supervise/train staff, have knowledge in commercial hive management for pollination, honey production and queen-rearing and the ability to assess hive health and care for them in the appropriate manner. Apiary workers must have a minimum of 1 season full time experience in a Canadian commercial apiary. Duties include assisting technicians with beehive maintenance and treatments, building and repairing bee equipment, moving hives, harvesting and extracting honey, and winter preparation. Some evening, night and weekend work will be required. Accommodations are available. A valid driver's license and the ability to speak English is an asset. Must be physically fit and accustomed to working with honeybees. No educational requirements. All wages are negotiable based on experience and productivity. Bonuses may be available. Email resumes to aovinge@gmail.com or mail to Box 133, Granum, AB T0L 1A0.
T’N’T APIARIES REQUIRE:
An APIARY FOREPERSON (NOC 82030) for fulltime (40+ hrs/wk) year round employment ($20.00-$25/hr depending on experience. Bonuses possible). Applicant must have a minimum of 5 years (seasons) fulltime in a Canadian style commercial apiary environment with a minimum of 3 years (seasons) working as an Apiary Technician.
Duties include:
• Caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner.
• Co-ordinating the production of replacement bees & equipment.
• Recognizing, reporting, monitoring and controlling hive health issues.
• Harvest & package honey, pollen & beeswax.
• Supervise & train workers.
• Drive (including std transmission & medium duty trucks) & daily maintenance of vehicles.
• Operate & maintain other apiary equipment (including forklifts, chainsaws & pumps).
• Conduct bee yard maintenance.
• Keep field and/or production records.
• Interact with external farm personnel.
5 APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 84120) for full time (40+ hrs/wk) employment ($17.00-$22/hr depending on experience. Bonuses possible) February thru November 2024. 1-2 positions may become year round. Must have a minimum of 2 years (seasons) working fulltime on a Canadian style commercial apiary in the min. capacity of Apiary Assistant or General Farm Worker.
Duties include:
• Caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner.
• Co-ordinating the production of replacement bees & equipment.
• Recognizing, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatment/controls.
• Harvest & package honey, pollen & beeswax.
• Supervise small teams of workers.
• Drive (including std transmission & medium duty trucks) & daily maintenance of vehicles.
• Operate & maintain other apiary equipment (including forklifts, chainsaws & pumps).
• Conduct bee yard maintenance.
• Keep some field and/or production records.
6 APIARY WORKERS (NOC 85100) for full time (40+ hrs/wk) employment ($16.55-$19.00/hr. depending on experience. Bonuses Possible) February thru November 2024. Applicants must be able to work in the presence of honey bees.
Duties include:
• Caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner
• Assisting Technicians with bees & equipment.
• Assisting with harvesting honey, pollen & beeswax.
• Assisting with the bee yard and equipment maintenance.
All positions may require some evening, night & weekend work. All applicants must be in good physical condition and able to work in a team environment. A motor vehicle Operator’s license with no serious infractions, recognized by the Province of Alberta & major insurance companies, is required for the Foreperson position and preference will be given to those Technician & Worker applicants holding one.
Contact Dave Tharle, 44116 - Hwy 659, Ardmore, AB or Box 80, Ardmore, AB. (Fax 780-826-6013) Email: tntapi@mcsnet.ca
Classifieds
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT FOR SALE
GREIDANUS
HONEY-BEE FARM, a 3400
hive beekeeping operation located in Stettler Alberta is seeking a seasonal Apiarist/Farm Foreman Duties: The foreman will oversee managing the beekeepers, bee care and honey collection/extraction. The foreman will manage the day to day operation of the honey bee farm including but not limited to oversight and organization of all field staff, ensuring that bee yards are checked on a regular basis and worker reporting back. Oversight of hive management including; medication, feeding bees, queen and nuc production, making splits. Harvesting and extracting honey. Maintenance of all kinds, transporting bee colonies to and from pollination, wood working, clean up and other duties as assigned.Looking for a minimum of 3 – 5 years experience. Salary negotiable and based on experience/qualifications. Must have a valid driver’s license. On site accommodation is available. Please send cover letter and resume to: rongreidanus@gmail.com
MEIJER HONEY FARM is looking for applicants for the 2024 season. All positions are F/T on a seasonal basis from Feb 2024-Oct 2024. Applicants must be able to work in the presence of honeybees. Position may require some evening and weekend work. All applicants must be in good physical condition and able to work in a team environment.17 APIARY TECHNICIANS (NOC 84120) F/T (40+ hrs./wk.) starting at $16.00 -$22.00/hr. depending on experience. (Possible bonus). Must have a minimum of 1 year (season) experience working fulltime on a Canadian commercial Farm. Duties include Caring for honeybee colonies in the appropriate manner. Manual labor of apiary. Coordinating the production of replacement bees & equipment. Recognizing, reporting, monitoring hive health issues and applying appropriate treatment/ controls. Harvesting honey, extraction, package honey, pollen, and beeswax. Team -player who can also work well independently. Drive (including std transmission & medium duty trucks) & daily maintenance on vehicles. Operate & maintain other apiary equipment (including forklifts & pumps). Conduct bee yard maintenance. Maintaining field and/or production records. Monitoring and reporting to management. Contact: Meijer Honey Farm -181072 TWP-RD 32-4 Box 295 Delia, AB T0J OWO Email: meijerhoneyfarm@outlook.com
SEVERSON HONEY FARM at 48143 Range Rd 204 Camrose, AB, requires 3 Apiary Supervisors/ Forman (noc8253) for the 2024 year. Must have a minimum of 5 yearexperience in commercial beekeeping, wages start at $17–$21 depending on experience. Must be able to supervise 3-4 people & operate trucks & equipment. Be organized, maintain records, work in team environment. This position is full-time 40+ hrs/ week. On farm accomm avail. Please send resume to Russell at rads@netkaster.ca 780-608-0076
BLISSFUL BEE APIARY LTD.
Located at 6308 HWY 624 Tomahawk Alberta, T0E2H0 Is seeking 2 APIARY WORKERS (NOC 85100) from April 1. 2024 to October 31, 2024. Full time seasonal employment . (40+Hours/ week, wages starts from $17.44 / Hour. Duties includes: Assisting Beekeeper in caring for bees/ help making splits & Nucs/ Harvesting and Extracting honey/ helping to feed and bees medication treatment. No experience is necessary as on the job training given, however ,is an asset. Workers accommodation is provided. Apply by email: blissfulbeeapiary@yahoo.com
APIARY SUPERVISOR WITH EXTRA SKILLS:
SPIRIT
HILLS
SERVICES is looking for a fulltime Apiary Supervisor with wine making skills and orchard management skills. This position requires good knowledge of apiary management, and the wine making & fermentation process; with a minimum of 1 year experience. Also must be able to drive forklift, bobcat and other equipment, and be skilled in orchard care. Supervising, coaching and teaching skills are important to be successful in this position. Given the difficulty of producing flower wine, a well developed palate is essential. A good working knowledge of English is also essential. Wages will range between $23 and $25 per hour, depending on experience. To apply for this position please email hugo@ spirithillswinery.com, and include a full resume, cover letter and references. ALL qualified applicants will be considered. Interested persons indicating the required experience will be contacted for an interview.
MEIJER HONEY FARM DOWNSIZING
FOR SALE- 1000 doubles - 1000 single splits. Queens made June, 2024 Saskatraz stock. Available end of April beginning of May. Email meijerhoneyfarm@outlook.com or call 403 857 8077
USED POLLEN TRAPS FOR SALE
Used pollen traps for sale @ $10 per piece. There are 1133 boxes, and 1190 trays for in the boxes. Seller: Severson Honey Farm Contact #: 780-608-0076. Contact email: rads@netkaster.ca or sarah. seversonhoney@gmail.com
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Paradise 1000 Wax
Press - $15,000 obo Pollen Traps (approx. 1,500)
- $60 each obo For further information email: paradishoney@outlook.com or phone 780-323-4183
EQUIPMENT IN ELK POINT, ALBERTA
Used, in good condition. $150,000.00 for the following:
• Paradise Air Ram extraction line, 128 frames
• Automotive uncapper with de-boxer
• Ralph Belt frame grabber, 9 frames
• Second generation wax press (Canadian made, Paradise knockoff)
• Water-jacketed Cowan in-floor sump with baffles and float switch (2 drum capacity)
• 900 gallon heated milk tank (half inch tubing Cowan heater)
• 2 tall plastic holding tanks on stands with 18 drums each • Electric scale up to 2000 Lbs
• 3 two inch Cowan honey pumps
Please contact Jean-Marc Le Dorze at jeanmarcledorze@gmail.com
FOR SALE IN WINFIELD AREA
**Kelly honey super elevator
**1000 lb Dadant ss cone bottom honey tank with removable ss inverted cone top filter, cover and honey gate
**metal tank stand for above at height accommodating table top or barrel fill
**Dadant ss 60 frame DC extractor with controller One hundred percent of sale proceeds will be donated to Doctors Without Borders. We would prefer to sell all four items as a block. We, Tom and Suzanne, can be contacted at norbuckhoney@ gmail.com
USED BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
Hive Equipment: Full Size 10 Frame Supers, Bottom Boards, 10 Frame Hive Covers, Inner Covers, Entrance Reducers, Reflective Winter Wraps, 10 Frame Metal Queen Excluders, Feeder Top Boxes, Feeder Pails with Lids, 4 Frame Nuc Boxes Plastic, 4 Frame Nuc Boxes Wooden, Mite Grids.
Tools and Protection: Full Body Protective Suit, Bee Keeping Jackets – plus more items…
Harvesting and Processing: Maxant 3100C
Spinner and Stand, Electric Honey Uncapping Knife, Uncapping Fork. Please see full ad at: https://www.albertabeekeepers.ca classified/ used-beekeeping-equipment-for-sale/ D. Christensen, Contact #: 403-828-2437, dachristensen4@gmail.com
Classifieds
PARADIS VALLEY HONEY LTD.
Has the folllowing for sale: 400- 5 frame Bee Nucs available. $325.00 each (minimum purchase 2. IMPORTANT: **Nucs must be picked up **Pick up available in April-May-June in either Watino AB or Aldergrove BC **Discount of $25/nuc available on large quantity (100+) orders Call Danny for more info: 780-837-0302.
MEIJER HONEY FARM:
FOR SALE 10 frame splits made in June from Saskatraz stock. Only frames and bees. $350 1st week of May they should have 4-6 frames of brood. Strong double brood chamber hives. $500 5 frame nucs with 2024 queens available end of May beginning of June 250. Purchase large quantities we can negotiate price Contact Joe 403-364-2179
5 FRAME NUCS:
Golden Ears Apiaries Inc is selling 5 frame Nucs with 2024 queen available now onwards $300. We also make Nucs in your equipment. $300 Overwintered doubles also for sale. Call for pricing. 778 882-6254 serious inquiries only… no Sunday calls. Business hours only please.
FOR SALE: DOWNSIZING
Selling a few hundred single colonies early to mid May. 2023 Queens, mostly Maybee Apiaries (Lamont, AB) & Saskatraz stock. Treated with Thymovar and Oxalic sublimation fall of 2023 and Apivar this spring. Commercial equipment. 9 frames, super, bottom board & lid. Inspected by Alberta Agriculture. $450/unit. Price negotiable for numbers over 20. When the hives go, we will also be selling 2000 9 frame honey supers. $50/unit. Price negotiable over 50. Call or text Dave, T’N’T Apiaries, Ardmore, AB. 780-812-0011. tntbees@mcsnet.ca
THRIVE HONEY INC – COALDALE AB
4-5 frame Nucs. $300/nuc for orders of 10 or greater. Volume discounts available. Delivery can be negotiated. Limited supply, first come first serve. Email: sales@thrivehoney.ca Call: Landen 403-308-8504
400 SINGLES AVAILABLE 3RD WEEK OF MAY. $425 per colony. Boyle AB. Call Curt at 780-340-9252.
